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Breast Self-Exam

Doing breast self-exam
is essential to finding breast cancer early.

Special Note:

If your disability affects your hands such as a lower sense of touch, tremors, or weakness, you should ask for help. 

If you cannot do this exam every month, talk to your doctor or nurse.

Table of Contents:

                            1.) Steps to a Successful Breast Self-Exam
                            2.) Instructions for Breast Self-Exam
                                 a.) Visual Inspection
                                 b.) Palpation

Steps to Successful Breast Self-Exam:

• examine your breasts at the same time each month
  
  
• examine your breasts in a consistent pattern
  

• examine your breasts 5-7 days after your period (if you have gone through menopause, pick the same day each month, such as the first or last day of the month)
  
  
• examine all surface areas, including the breast, the underarm area, and up to the shoulder
  
  
• examine the breast using the pads of the fingers and press deeply
  
  
• check nipple for discharge, inspect the breasts visually and feel for changes
  
  
• report any changes to your health care provider

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Instructions for Breast Self-Exam:

Breast self-exam is essential for every woman beginning at age 20. It is especially important for women with disabilities who may not have regular screening such as a clinical breast exam by a doctor or nurse and mammogram due to limited access. 

This makes the need for breast self-exam even greater. If you examine your breasts each month, your chance of finding a problem is much greater. (It is important to note that decreased sensation in fingertips may make it harder to do a breast self-exam or to find changes in the breast.)

Visual Inspection:

Stand or sit in front of a mirror and look at your breasts noting anything unusual, such as swelling, dimpling, skin and nipple changes. Also note any changes in the size or shape of the breasts. Do this assessment first with your  hands at your sides, then behind your head and finally on your hips.

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Palpation:

The next step is to palpate (feel) both breasts and underarms with your fingertips, covering the area up to the collarbone and over to your shoulder. Begin in a standing or sitting position. To examine your right breast raise your right arm over your head. Using the pads of the three middle fingers of your left hand, move around the breast in a circular, up and down line, or wedge pattern (See BSE patterns at the bottom of this page).  Whichever method you choose, be sure to do it the same way every time.

Palpate (feel) the tissue by pressing with your fingers, first lightly and then deeper. Be sure to include the underarm area. Repeat this process for the other breast, then change to a lying position and palpate (feel) each breast again. (Remember, if you have limited ability to press down with your fingers or lower sensation in your fingers, you should ask for help to do this monthly exam.)

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09/28/2003 03:54 PM