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Breast Self Exam Instruction:
Breast Carcinoma or breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in middle-aged women.
The breasts are specialized accessory glands of the skin consisting of ducts embedded in fatty tissue.
Breast cancer can arise in the duct system anywhere from the nipple to the terminal lobule.
Most often, the cancer is detected after it has spread to the other parts of the body. Periodic breast self exams are essential for early identification and treatment.
The breast self-exam should be done regularly every month immediately following the menstrual cycle.
Step 1- Visual Inspection
Look for any changes in the skin over breast like redness, swelling or puckering and nipple changes like discharge, scaling or indentation.
Step 2 - Tactile Inspection
There are three ways to physically examine the breasts.
- The Circle method
- The Line method, and
- The wedge method
The Circle Method: Move the three middle fingers in a circular fashion starting from the outer edge of the breast towards the nipple.
The Line Method: Move the three middle fingers starting from underarm area down below the breast. Move slowly back upwards. Repeat this until the entire breast is felt.
Wedge method: Move the three middle fingers beginning at the outer edge towards the nipple. Repeat the procedure for every wedge until the entire breast is felt.
Regardless of the method, the objective is to feel the entire breast and observing any abnormal changes. The breast should be soft and smooth to the touch. Pay special attention to check the underarm and upper chest areas.
- Feel the entire breast
- Breast should be soft and smooth.
- Observe for abnormal changes.
- Check under arm and upper chest areas.
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