Health tips for women and teens-Techniques for the Self Breast Examinations

when the awareness of cancer prevention is known and found to be more important than ever before, the women of all countries trying to protect their health in as many as ways possible. Most gynecologists, the American Cancer Association and other related associations recommended women to go for monthly self breast examinations from beginning at the age of 20, throughout the rest of their life.

Self Breast Examinations

Doctors suggest these examinations to women because they say when women regularly examine the breast area they can identify what’s normal breast and what’s new appearing (due to the breast cancer). Any changes or variation in size (masses, lumps, appearance) which may occur can easily detected by the women who do monthly self breast examination. By detecting these changes which is though of utmost importance to the modern women and teens, the treatment of the breast cancer like diseases becomes simpler and soon without the advancement of the disease stage, as the changes are the early signs or symptoms of breast cancer. So we can say that it is important that most of the time changes don’t necessarily mean you have cancer. It is suggested to women and teens that all changes should be reported promptly to your doctor.

When should you perform self breast examination regularly from the age of 20 till the last day of life?

Self breast examinations for the women and teens seem to be a good idea. Some women go through the routine the week after their period, when their breast area is not swollen or tender. Those who no longer have periods can decide a date, such as the 1st of the month and do the self breast examination every month on that particular date or day.

How to perform a self breast examination?

First step: stand in front of a mirror without the shirt and bra or any top you wear by keeping your arms at your sides (for good vision of your breast and nipple size). Look at your breast to see if any changes appear regarding the size of your breast size or even nipple or teat size. Then, the other position is to stand with your hands on your hips and look for changes if any (if you are attacked with breast cancer). Lastly, raise your arms and flex your chest muscles, looking for possible changes in the breast size and shape.

Second step: examine the appearance of your breast, looking for changes in contour, swelling, dimpling of the skin and the nipple. Most women don’t have “matching breasts” and may notice some changes from one breast to the other breast. By this, you can know what normal breast is for you and what’s you needed the breast and nipple size and shape.

Third step: keep the pads of your fingertips firmly on your breast area and press slightly (no pain should occur). Examine your entire breast and armpit. You can do it in a circular motion, an up-and-down motion or a wedge pattern motion. But, be sure to use the same one each month on both breasts. Use whichever one is easiest for you to remember.

Fourth step: Lie down and start the procedure with the right breast. Keep a pillow under your right shoulder then place the right hand under your head. Move the fingers such a way that breast shakes and examine the breast again, which you did standing up. Repeat the same procedure for the left breast, checking all tissue during the shaking of the breast muscle and tissue parts.

Fifth Step: Squeeze each nipple in a gentle manner (but not the way the men squeeze your breast during sexual affair) if any secretion or discharge occur, report immediately your family doctor.

It’s important to see your doctor for examinations each year and follow their suggestions and recommendations on getting a mammogram to check the breast area and lymph node areas. Remember, even if you have a lump diagnosis, it’s likely to be benign and rarely will turn out as a malignant type which is an advance stage which is difficult to treat.