If you do not know how to perform BSE, ask your doctor to show you at your next visit. With a little practice, this will be as natural to you as brushing your teeth. Lots of ladies ask "How will I know if something is different?" Believe me, you will notice a change in your breast. I was doing a haphazard self-exam monthly, more or less, and the minute I felt the lump, I knew that I had not felt it before. I must admit that I really didn't learn how to do a thorough breast exam until after I was diagnosed.
It is suggested that you do your monthly BSE a few days after your period. Your breasts are usually more tender before and at the beginning of menstruation. If you don't get your period on a regular basis, pick a date to do your BSE and stick to it. You can use the first of the month, your birthday, anniversary, any date that you will remember. Many groups hand out shower cards as a reminder to do BSE. Others give you stickers to put on your calendar. Put the date in magic marker on the shower card or circle it on your calendar - do whatever it takes to remember to do BSE monthly until it becomes second nature.
There are three general steps to breast self-exam: 1) Visual examination 2) Physical examination lying down 3) Physical examination standing up
VISUAL Stand in front of the mirror and look at your breasts. It's normal if they are not exactly the same size. Do you notice any redness? Is there any swelling? Does the skin dimple? Do the nipples look different? Is there any discharge from the nipples? It is suggested that you look at your breasts once with your hands behind your head and once with your hands pressing on your hips. If you want to be really thorough, also check your breasts with hands over your head, down at the sides and bending forward. I personally have trouble with the mirror, so I generally look in the mirror, but then do all positions again, looking down at my breasts.
 |
