Breast Self ExaminationPosted 8 yearss ago

Introduction

• What is breast cancer : Breast cancer starts when cells in the breast begin to grow out of control. These cells usually form one or more lumps in the breast.

• Breast cancers can start from different parts of the breast. Most breast cancers begin in the ducts that carry milk to the nipple (ductal cancers). Some start in the glands that make breast milk (lobular cancers). There are also other types of breast cancer that are less common

• Breast Self Examination (BSE) is a method which allows early detection of breast cancer.

• It is a technique of checking the changes in breast.

• It is done for detection of any lump, soreness or discharge from nipple.

 

Need for Breast Self Examination (Why BSE is necessary) : For early detection of Breast Cancer and its prevention.

 

 

Breast cancer is having a very high morbidity rate among all other cancers in women.

 

Things needed for Breast Self Examination BSE : A mirror

 

When to Perform BSE..??

1. For premenopausal women best time for BSE is just after end of their menstrual cycle.

2. For Post menopausal women once in a month at regular interval.

Procedure for BSE

Preparation: Take a hot shower before performing BSE.

Steps of BSE

There are six steps of performing BSE. Three are of inspection (to look through eyes) and three for palpation (to feel by using hands).

 

Inspection

---

1. Hands should be hanging next to the body.

2. Hands should be behind the head.

3. Hands should be on your waist.

 

Remove all your upper body clothings and stand in front of mirror.

Check for -

♦ Any discoloration around nipple.

♦ Any redness or rash around nipple.

♦ Pulled in nipple (inverted nipple)

♦ Change in shape and size of nipple.

♦ Dripping of nipple.

♦ Dimpling of nipple or any other part of breast

♦ Increased vascularity of nipple.

♦ Any visible bulge or swelling or lump in any part of the breast.

♦ Check for size and shape of each breast and compare with each other.

Note :  Size of breast may differ from each other but  if the difference in the size is very large then it is an alarming sign.

 

Palpation

\

]p1. Palpate breast gently using pulp of tip of your fingers starting from upper part of breast and in circular motion covering all the breast towards the axilla.

2. Now repeat the palpation but this time palpate vertically downwards.

3. Now palpate from edges of breast towards the nipple.

 

Check for

any lump; superficial or deep.

enlargement of axillary lymph nodes.

 

 

 

Now palpate the nipple :

 Check for

Any colour change of nipple.

Hardening or tenderness of areola and nipple.

 

Women who are not breast feeding should squeeze the nipple and check for any kind of discharge. If discharge is present, check for its colour.

 

Palpation in supine position (Lying own position)

All above steps have to be repeated in lying down position.

Put one pillow below your shoulder before starting the palpation.

 

Check for:

any lump; superficial or deep.

enlargement of axillary lymph nodes.

 

Some important Facts about Breast Lump :

8 out of 10 Breast Lumps are NOT Cancerous but if you find something unusual immediately consult your doctor.

 

 

Progression of breast Cancer video- https://youtu.be/l2lRZuEK4Y0