How to Perform Breast Examination

How to Perform Self Breast Examination

By Wendi Garcia

As early as a woman reaches the age of 20, she should start being aware of the importance of a self breast examination, which can help identify potential problems with these specific body parts. These exams are crucial for early detection of diseases such as breast cancer.

It is important for women to be familiar with the normal appearance and consistency of their breasts so that they can determine if there are any changes in them during self-inspection. Of course, discovering something different with your breasts does not automatically mean there is something wrong with you but you can bring your concern to the attention of a doctor or a health care professional, who will be able to determine any condition.

Aside from that, it is also vital that a woman is able to perform the correct procedures for a self breast exam. Below you will find a step-by-step guide that will inform you on how to examine your breasts properly.

Step 1 – Lie down and place your right arm underneath your head.
This position is preferred over the standing position because a woman’s breast tissue spreads more evenly on her chest wall when lying down. This means, this position would make it easier for a woman to feel all the tissue in her breast.

Step 2 – Feel your breast using your three middle fingers on your left hand.
Search for possible lumps or changes in the tissue in your right breast. Do this in an overlapping circular motion.

Step 3 – Use three different levels of pressure on the breast.
First, use a light pressure, which is necessary to feel the tissue closest to the skin. Next, put on medium pressure to delve deeper into the breast. Lastly, use firm pressure to feel the tissue closest to the ribs and chest. If you feel a firm ridge in the lower curve of your breast, you have to know that this is normal.

Step 4 – Move around the breast.
Imagine a straight line drawn down your side from the underarm to the breast to the middle of the breastbone. Check the entire area until you are able to reach the ribs then the neck and the collar bone.

Step 5 – Repeat the same steps with your left breast.
Also, put your left arm underneath your head and the use the three middle fingers of your right hand to inspect the left breast.

Step 6 – Stand in front of the mirror.
With your hands on firmly on your hips, look at your breasts carefully and see if there are any changes in size, shape, dimpling, contour, nipple, skin, or color. It is important to press firmly on your hips to contract wall muscles that would make it easier for you to see any breast changes.

If you discover anything unusual with your breasts, do not panic. It may only be because of hormonal changes or some other factor. Just make sure that you do not dismiss what you have discovered and make a visit to the doctor to know what is really going on.