How to give yourself a breast exam

One of the best ways to detect any physical or visual changes in your breast is through personal screening.

A breast self-examination or BSE allows one to examine their breast tissue to check for any abnormalities. It is the best way to be used as an early detection approach for breast cancer.

No matter how much you may want to write it off as a ‘female’ thing, this should be done by men too at least once every month.

If you have no idea where to begin or even how to do it, follow these simple steps.

Step 1:

Begin the self-exam by observing your breasts on a mirror. Your shoulders should be in a straight position and arms placed on the hip area. While gazing in the mirror, look out for these changes.

Step 2:

After that, try raising your arms and observe if there are any changes as outlined in step 1.

Step 3:

While still in the mirror, carefully inspect your nipples. Do this by looking for any signs of fluid coming out of any of your nipples. It could be yellowish, milky or a watery fluid. Take note. This could be serious or simply nothing.

Step 4:

Next, lie down and examine your left breast by using your right hand and the left hand to feel the right breast. Use a firm and smooth touch using three finger pads of each of your hands. Keep each of the fingers together and must be flat. Try and use a circular motion while covering the entire breast side to side and from top to bottom, and from the cleavage to the armpits.

Following a pattern will make certain you cover the entire breast during the self-examination. For example, you can begin at the nipple and move gently using smaller and larger circular strokes until you reach the outer edges of each of the breasts. Moving your fingers in rows and vertically is also an excellent strategy. It is known as the up-and-down approach and ensures you cover all the tissues from the front to the back of the breast. Moreover, for the tissue and skin beneath and the deep tissues, you should try and use light to medium pressure.

Step 5:

Finally, feel the breast while either sitting or standing. Dampen your skin to make it wet and slippery. Why you may ask? With enough resistance and grip you will be able to feel every part of your breast. Alternatively, you can do this in the shower. Ensure that you cover your entire breast area using the hand movement described in step 4.

Take to consideration

It is worth noting that breast self-examination is an effective screening approach and tool that should be complemented with regular physical examinations by your doctor, an ultrasound, and/or MRI and a mammography. Each of the above-mentioned screening tools works differently and they all have their strengths and weaknesses. For this reason, it is advisable to make use of them regularly to increase the odds of detecting breast cancer in its early stages.

Breast self-examination is easy to use, a no-cost, and convenient tool that a person can use on a regular basis, particularly after the age of 18. It is of the essence that all women should routinely conduct breast-exams as part of their wellbeing. 

Should you feel something is off, do not panic. Not every lump is cause for worry. Some of these lumps are benign and not cancerous. Normal hormonal changes or an injury could be the possible cause of a non-cancerous lump. It is the reason why it is important to see a doctor before making any conclusions.