Self Exam
Befriend Your Boobs
What are the Landmarks of the breast?
Your breast tissue is found from the breast bone (sternum) up to the collar bone (clavicle) and out to the armpit (axilla). It is important to know what is normal for you so that if there are any changes -no matter how small- you will notice them and can see a doctor.
When you check or examine your breast you should feel the entirety of this area. Sometimes the breast can feel fuller and lumpy before a period and so it is best to check at the end of the period. For those who do not have regular periods then just choose a day of the month -such as the first Tuesday- and check them monthly.
Befriend Your Boobs Routine :
Make monthly breast self- examination a part of your routine. Early pick up of a breast cancer can save lives.
Breast cancer can present with breast lumps, dimples in the skin of the breast, other breast skin changes such as skin like orange peel and rashes. It can also present with nipple changes such as discharge or leaking from the nipples or a nipple that becomes flatter or becomes turned in. Sometimes the first sign can be a lump in the armpit/axilla. The most important thing is if you notice any change at all then see your GP? Don’t be scared- get checked!
There is no routine breast screening for women under 50 years in the UK unless you have a strong family history of breast and other associated cancers. Therefore, it is important to be “BREAST AWARE” and know what your breasts normally feel like. Breast self-examination may be life- saving if done regularly.
When in your cycle should you check your breasts?
The best time is usually at the end of a period. However if you don’t have periods then choose a date each month to do it (e.g. first of the month). You should make it a habit : you clean your teeth twice a day so why not check your breasts once a month? BYB alumnae tell us they’ve continued to do this monthly for more than 10 years.
Where and how should you check your breasts?:
You need to find a safe and private place. For some it may be the first time you’ve taken your top off and looked at your breasts.
The first thing to do is LOOK at your breasts. You should stand in front of a mirror and raise your arms and look. Check the size and shape of the breasts- some people have one larger than the other. If it has always been like that then there is no concern.
Look at your nipples – Do you have both nipples pointing out or does one or both turn in? Is this your ‘normal’ or has it changed? Look at the skin of the breasts for any colour change, rashes or areas where the skin is not smooth. This can be less noticeable in those with pigmented skin, but you will notice any change if you do this regularly.
Next you should lift both arms up and see if both breasts move symmetrically or whether one moves differently. Then push your hands into your waist and check if both breasts move in the same way.
The best position to feel your breasts is laying in the bath or propped upon your bed with a pillow.
When feeling your breasts it is best to use the right hand to check the left breast and vice versa. Use the flat side of 3 fingers (index/middle and ring), press gently and rotate your fingers. Your breasts extend in the middle to your breastbone, up to your collar bone and out to the armpit area and you should check all these areas. There is not one particular way to check. Some people check the breast in a spiral pattern starting at the outside, some up and down and some in quadrants. It does not matter as long as all the breast area is felt.
You should also check around and under the nipple area. You can squeeze gently under the nipple to make sure there is no leaking from your nipples? This may have caused some stains on your bra. In late pregnancy and when breast feeding, milk may leak from the nipple but otherwise it is something that should be checked by your GP.
It is important to also check up into your armpit for any lumps.
Only 5% of breast cancers present with breast pain. This may be persistent – which means it is pain in the breast that doesn’t go once the period has ended. This pain may be in one breast only. You should get this checked by your GP.
It is important that any changes which do not resolve after a period are checked by your GP. It may be something innocent but always get any changes checked. Early detection of anything serious is important. If this is a cancer, then it could mean that this early treatment could result in a cure.
Sometimes breast cancer can present with symptoms other than in the breast such as unexplained weight loss, persistent chest pain or breathlessness. A breast examination can be helpful in excluding or explaining symptoms.