Though many are unaware of how to track changes in their breasts, breast health is a vital aspect of overall well-being. You can learn how your breasts typically feel and look by doing a quick, free breast self-examination (BSE) at home.
Even if it doesn't take the place of clinical examinations or mammograms, it is useful for early detection. And it can help with timely medical intervention when something seems problematic. Get in touch with the top oncologist for diagnosis and breast cancer treatment in Siliguri or in your location.
Breast Self-Exam Overview
You should regularly examine your own breasts to look for any unexpected changes. This is simply known as a breast self-examination. It includes methodically examining and feeling your breasts.
The goal here is to understand what is normal for you so that you can promptly spot something out of normal, not to diagnose illness. Hormonal fluctuations, pregnancy, aging, and benign illnesses can be the cause of many breast changes.
These changes are not malignant. But early detection of changes, however, allows doctors to assess concerns more quickly. Such steps can be crucial for successful treatment if a significant problem is present.
Why Breast Self-Exams are Important
Routine breast self-examinations help you become more conscious of your body. During normal medical checkups, people might notice a lump or change that leads to the initial discovery of some breast cancer cases. Better results and more treatment options are linked to early detection.
Here, breast self-examinations promote preventative health practices. You are more likely to notice small changes like swelling, discharge, or variations in skin texture when you inspect your breasts. Because you can easily detect if there’s anything unusual during breast self-exam, like a lump, pain, or discharge, you can inform your doctor early.
What Time Is Ideal for a Breast Self-Examination?
No doubt, for comfort and accuracy, timing is crucial. A few days after the end of your period is the ideal time for menstruating women to do a breast self-examination.
This is because hormonal changes during this time reduce the likelihood of breast swelling or tenderness. Pick a regular day every month, such as the first of the month, if you are postmenopausal, pregnant, or no longer have periods.
Yes, maintaining consistency helps you compare how your breasts feel over time and makes it easier to remember. Make sure you talk to your doctor, like a gynecologist, if you notice unusual changes without delay.
How Frequently Should You Do a Breast Self-Examination?
Most medical specialists advise doing a monthly breast self-examination. You can keep a balance between knowledge and preventing needless stress through monthly assessments.
Additionally, consistent practice enhances your capacity to identify subtle yet significant changes in the breast area. Speak with one of the top oncologists in Siliguri or near you if your primary care physician or gynecologist advises.
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How to Do a Breast Self-Examination Correctly - A Step-by-Step Guide for You
Visual inspection, manual examination while standing or sitting, and manual examination while lying down are the three primary aspects here. Different information is provided by each phase.
Step 1: Examining Visually in Front of a Mirror
In front of a mirror, stand keeping your arms at your sides, and examine both breasts closely and make a comparison. Look for changes in symmetry, size, or shape.
One breast being slightly larger is very common, but unusual changes should be noted. Check for thickness, redness, puckering, or dimpling of your breast skin. Also, check for changes in the position, inversion, discharge, or scaling of the nipples.
Then lift your arms above your head, and now take another look. Next, flex your chest muscles simply by placing your hands on your hips and applying hard pressure. So, changes that are not apparent while your arms are relaxed can be seen in these situations.
Step 2: Examine Manually While Sitting or Standing
Because moist skin makes it easier for fingers to move easily, many people think that standing in the shower is the best way to examine their breasts. Instead of using your fingertips, you can use the pads of your three middle fingers.
Take your time sensing for hardened knots, thicker patches, or lumps, and check for any discharge by gently squeezing the nipple area.
Step 3: Manual Examination While Lying Down
With your right arm behind your head and a pillow or folded towel beneath your right shoulder, just lie flat on your back. The breast tissue is equally distributed over the chest wall in this position, and this facilitates the detection of anomalies.
Now, examine your right breast with your left hand using the same movement pattern and finger technique you used when standing. On the opposite side, repeat the procedure.
You should take note of the tissue's texture. Especially in the higher outer regions near the armpits, some lumpiness or rope-like texture may be typical. Well, noticing variations from your typical baseline is what counts most.
What Changes Should You Look For?
Try to look for any unexpected results when performing a breast self-examination. A lump or mass that feels different from the surrounding tissue, joint discomfort that doesn't go away, thickening or swelling, skin irritation, or warmth are a few examples.
Additional symptoms include new nipple inversion, bloody or clear nipple discharge, or skin texture changes that resemble orange peel. At the same time, enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit or close to the collarbone may be significant.
While not every change is a sign of cancer, you should inform your gynecologist or physician if any persistent or worrisome sign you have noticed.
Final Words
It is more difficult to spot tiny changes when checks are irregular. Using a single pressure level is another error that can lead to deeper lumps being overlooked.
Keep in mind that it takes a few minutes to thoroughly examine each breast. Finally, since many breast illnesses do not produce discomfort in their early stages, it might be risky to ignore changes because they are painless.
Imaging, a clinical breast examination, and other testing, if necessary, may be part of a professional review. Even if the results are benign, early consultation offers clarity and comfort.
See your doctor and undergo proper diagnosis when advised. For optimum breast cancer treatment in Siliguri, you might make an appointment with Dr. Saptarshi Ghosh.
