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Alternative Cancer Treatment – How To Do a Breast Self-Exam

June 3rd, 2009 | Add a Comment

In general about 1 in every 12 women will contract breast cancer at some age, the odds of contracting it later in life being greater. Thanks to modern medicine many breast cancers can be treated successfully without impacting the life in a major way. However, the success of one’s treatment depends critically on early detection. The earlier breast cancer is detected the better off you are. One simple way to increase your odds of early diction is performing a breast self examination on a regular basis.

The goal of breast self examination is to detect changes which might signal a condition worth investigating more closely, either with a professional clinical exam, mammogram or other diagnostic aid. Those changes might indicate an abnormality. But to judge what’s abnormal, it’s essential to know what constitutes normal. That varies from individual to individual, though there are commonalities.

The first element to a proper self-exam is to know what your own breasts feel and look like in general. Every aspect of the body changes in subtle ways on a regular basis. During the menstrual cycle those changes may be exaggerated. Breasts can become enlarged or more sensitive. Start your self-exam a few days after your period every month so it becomes a habit. For post-menopausal women, choose the same day every month to perform the exam.

Remove your clothing and stand in front of a mirror and make a visual inspection of your breasts. Look for any changes that might be present in only one breast. Normal menstrual cycles and other hormonally related variations typically affect both breasts simultaneously. Look for any changes in breast size or areola (the darker skin around the nipple). Make note of any wrinkling orange-peel like skin that isn’t from cold temperature. Most areola are round. Observe the breasts for any lack of symmetry.

Squeeze the nipples gently noting any fluid that comes out. For some women some lactation is normal. Yellowish, pus-like fluid may need to be further examined by a physician. It could be a simple infection or it could be an early sign of a developing tumor. Make sure you examine both nipples.

Check the breast for tumors by feeling carefully over the entire surface of the breast with your arms lowered. Make sure you include not just the surface from the breast bone to the side, but also up toward the armpit as well. Press your finger pass firmly moving your hand slowly as your feel for any thickening or lumps.

Not all lumps are cancerous, in actuality most of them aren’t. A lump could be a simple cyst- which is a fluid filled tissue sac. Often the can be moved slightly and are round. These are benign, but you might want to have them removed regardless. Some will fade away spontaneously over time.

Cancerous lumps tend to be harder and less regular in shape. They are frequently attached to breast tissue. Not all hard lumps are cancerous either, so don’t be unduly alarmed. Many are just what are called fibroadenomas, a benign clump of cells. Professional tests are required in order to know for sure.

Be very aware of any lumps that you notice changing in size. Cancer is malignant, uncontrolled growth and reproduction of cells in tissue. Cancerous tumors do not remain static, but instead increase in size and later can potentially spread to other areas of the body.

Continue the self exam by placing the arms overhead and then applying pressure all the way from the breastbone up to the armpit again. Repeat this process on both sides of the body.

While lying down you should perform the procedure again. First lower your arms, and then raise them overhead. Make sure to feel any changes, especially in instances where tissue has become hard. The procedure can also be done in the shower in an attempt to reduce the amount of friction on the skin, but I can sometimes be difficult to find changes or lumps with water beating up against your skin. You might want to use baby oil or lotion to reduce friction instead.

Any woman over age 20 should be performing regular breast self-exams, while those over 40 should get a mammogram at least annually.

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