- Еуромедик, Булевар уметности 29, Београд
What is breast self-examination?
Прим др Милош Почековац
Breast self-examination is a complementary method to a regular clinical examination performed by a selected doctor, gynecologist or oncologist once or twice a year.
Breast self-examination
Breast self-examination is performed once a month, usually between days 5 and 12 of the menstrual cycle.
It is also recommended that self-examination be performed during and after showering, because water and soap soften the skin, which makes self-examination easier, then the changes on the breasts can be better felt.
Self-examination is also performed in a lying position because the mammary gland spills over the chest wall and changes in the lower parts of the breast are better felt, unlike standing and sitting positions where changes in the upper parts of the breasts are better felt.
What does a breast self-examination look like?
We perform the self-examination in a standing and lying position.
Standing position:
In front of the mirror, we place our hands next to the body, on the hips as well as above the head and describe the skin and the nipple because this way, changes are easier to notice. We raise one hand above the head, and with the other hand we feel all parts of the breast in circular motions. We feel the left breast with the right hand and the right breast with the left hand. It is necessary to feel the breast with the fist or two-thirds of the fingers, and not with the tips of the fingers, in order to get a sense of the three-dimensionality of the noticeable change.
Lying position:
In a lying position, raise your hand above your head and place a pillow or towel under the shoulder blade, and with the opposite hand feel all parts of the breast, including the armpit. Also, the left breast is felt with the right hand and vice versa.
The lying position is better for palpating larger (more voluminous) breasts because the gland spreads over the chest wall.
In the lying position, changes in the lower parts of the breast are better felt, in contrast to the standing or sitting position, when changes in the upper parts of the breast are easier to feel.
At the end of the examination, it is necessary to gently press both nipples for the presence of discharge or liquid. During the examination, if you notice any changes, be sure to contact your doctor.
Self-examination and the menstrual cycle
Menstruating women:
Due to the normal hormonal changes that affect the breast tissue, it is necessary to choose the same day of the month in order to observe the normal changes that occur in the breast tissue.
Premenopausal women:
It is recommended that the self-examination is performed near the end of the menstrual cycle, because this is when hormonal changes have the least effect on the breast tissue and in that period the breasts are the least sensitive.
Menopausal women:
It is necessary to choose one day of the month and repeat the self-examination every month.
What is described by breast self-examination?
We describe breast self-examination
- shape
- the size
- symmetry
- skin deformities
- position of areola and nipple
IF YOU NOTICE ANY CHANGE IN YOUR BREAST, BE SURE TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR!!! BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR GOING TO THE ONCOSURGEON AND RADIOLOGIST WHO PERFORMS BREAST ULTRASOUND AND MAMMOGRAPHY!!!