Breast Self Exam Early Detection is the Key www.operationpinkbag .org
Dec 22, 2015
Breast Self Exam
Early Detection is the Key
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Taking Care of YOU
The best gift you can give to yourself and your family is a healthy YOU.
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Three Steps to Early Detection
1. Mammogram- yearly starting at age 40- American Cancer Society recommends yearly
breast self exams beginning at age 20.
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2. Clinical Breast Examination-
Yearly by your Health Care Provider
Three Steps to Early Detection
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3. Breast Self Exam (BSE)- Monthly
Three Steps to Early Detection
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When to contact your Doctor or Health Care Provider
• Anytime you notice changes in your breasts.• Changes that continue even after your period
is over to include:– Nipple discharge or skin changes– Breast tenderness unrelated to your period– Lump
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When to Perform an Exam
• Monthly– 6-7 days after your menstrual period ends– If you no longer have a menstrual period,
choose a certain day and do your exam at the same time each month.
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Breast Self Exam (BSE)• The key to BSE is knowing what is “normal” in
your breasts:– Textures (how the breasts feel) that are present each
month.– Visual (how the breasts look) characteristics of your
breasts that are normal for you.– Areas of pain or tenderness that are part of your
monthly cycle.
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Breast Self Exam (BSE)
• Once you know what is “normal”, you will be able to notice when there is a change.
• If you identify a change in your breast call your Health Care Provider to perform a complete examination of your breasts.
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Steps for Breast Self Exam
• Visual
• Standing/Sitting Upright
• Lying down
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Technique
• Use the pads of your 3 middle fingers, perform a circular motion with your fingers.
• Make a dime-sized circle in each area of your breast.
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Technique
• Starting in your armpit, do an exam using vertical strips, up and down, across the entire breasts.
• Make a circle in each area on your breast along the vertical lines.
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Visual Examination
• While looking in the mirror– Put your arms above your head– Put your arms out to the side– Put your arms on your waist and lean forward– Changes to look for:
• Dimples• Nipple changes• Redness• Leathery looking skin
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Upright Examination
• In the shower or in front of the mirror
• Perform the exam– From the breast bone,
to the armpit– From the collarbone to
the ribs
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Lying Down Examination
• Perform the same exam when lying down– Use 3 fingers– Move from armpit to
breast bone in a vertical strip pattern
– At each area, use a circular motion to feel the breast
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When to Contact Your Doctor• Anytime you notice changes in your
breasts• Changes that continue even after your
period is over– Nipple discharge or skin changes– Breast tenderness unrelated to your period– Lump
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Remember to schedule your annual screening
Mammogram
if you’re 40or older!
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