Breast self-exam: 5 easy steps

Breast cancer is the leading cancer killer among women aged 20–59 years. Breast Self-Exam (BSE) is an important way to detect the cancer at its earliest stage when is can be cured.
Women at their 20s should start breast self-exam. Women should be aware of how their breasts normally look and feel and report any new breast changes to a health professional as soon as they are found. Finding a breast change does not necessarily mean there is a cancer.
BSE is a step-by-step approach and women should maintain a specific schedule to examine their breasts. The best time for a woman to examine her breasts is when they are not tender or swollen e.g. 5th day of menstruation.
The following 5 steps are described below for readers to help them understand how it should be done.
Step 1: Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips. If you see any of the following changes, bring them to your doctor's attention:
• Dimpling, puckering or bulging of the skin.
• A nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out).
• Redness, soreness, rash or swelling.
Step 2: Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes.
Step 3: While you are at the mirror, look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples (this could be a watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood).
Step 4: Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and vice versa. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few finger pads of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side — from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage.
Step 5: Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts while they are taking shower.

The writer is an Assistant Professor, Department Of Surgery, M H Samorita Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka. E-mail: ruksanaparvin@yahoo.com