This Pink October, awareness of the risk of breast cancer is everywhere. However, according to a new survey, more than eight out of ten women do not regularly perform a simple, life-saving action: breast self-examination. Here's how to do it.
According to a survey published by WeMoms, the leading community of mothers in France, 81% of women admit that they do not self -examine their breasts every month. This is a crucial step in the early detection of breast cancer.
What is breast self-examination?
Breast self-palpation is a recommended practice for all women, allowing the detection of possible abnormalities that may require medical consultation.
By palpating the breast using a certain method, a possible lump or abnormality present on the breast can be detected by the patient, who can consult her doctor without delay. But the problem is: according to the same survey, almost one in two women (46%) do not know how to carry out this self-examination.
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How to perform a breast self-examination?
Regular self-palpation of the breasts is therefore recommended, to help with early diagnosis of breast cancer. The procedure should therefore be carried out once a month, two or three days after the end of your period. To do this, you must first observe your chest, in front of a mirror, topless. You must concentrate on any skin changes and observe the appearance of your breasts in different positions:
Arms alongside the body.
Hands on hips.
Arms raised.
Leaning forward.
Lying on her side.
Each time, note any differences you might notice such as:
a change in size, shape.
redness.
nipple or skin changes.
bulges.
The nipple should be observed separately. It is necessary to check the absence of spontaneous discharge, then pinch it lightly, to check that there is no discharge under pressure either. Be careful, if you have just given birth, the discharge is normal. In other cases, it is recommended to make an appointment with your doctor to talk to him about it.
Breast palpation to detect the possible presence of a lump
Once this first step is completed, we move on to palpating the breast itself. To do this, you must use three fingers of the opposite hand: the index, middle and ring fingers on the left for the right breast and vice versa. And for each movement, use three levels of pressure: superficial, medium, strong. Then, three methods can be used, so as not to forget any part of the chest: the radial method, the circular method, the vertical method.
The radial method involves palpating the breast from the nipple to the outside of the breast, forming straight lines in a circular manner, a bit like the rays of a sun.
The vertical method starts at the top of the armpit, then encourages palpation of the breast from top to bottom, following close parallel lines, to be sure not to miss any area.
The circular method involves starting at the top of the armpit and moving around the breast in a spiral, ending at the nipple.
What should you look for during a self-palpation?
Now you know how to go about feeling your breasts. But what exactly should you look for? Here are the abnormalities that should catch your attention:
A variation in the size and shape of one of your breasts.
A palpable ball.
A retraction of the skin (of the breast or nipple).
A thickening of the skin.
Redness or visible veins.
A discharge from a nipple.
Any anomaly of recent appearance.
Any change that is considered abnormal, not as usual, should prompt you to consult your doctor without delay. Do not forget to also palpate the axillary area where the mammary gland is attached. The sensation of a ball or lymph nodes may reveal an inflammatory phenomenon or a more serious abnormality for which you should see a doctor.