BREAST SELF EXAMINATION (BSE)
Women may perform breast self-examination to help detect changes in their breasts to call to their HCP/Nurse’s attention.
Early breast cancer is usually symptomless but there are some symptoms that develop as the cancer advances. Breast lump or breast mass is the main symptom of breast cancer. Lump is usually painless, firm to hard and usually with irregular borders. Every lump is not cancerous; sometimes, some lumps or swelling in the breast tissue may be due to hormonal changes or benign (not harmful) in nature. Besides, there are some other symptoms that are important, like lump or mass in the armpit, a change in the size or shape of the breast, abnormal nipple discharges, etc.
Many of the known risk factors of breast cancer such as age, family, early menarche and late menopause are not modifiable. However, other factors associated with increased breast cancer risk include post-menopausal obesity, use of combined estrogen and progestin menopausal hormones, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity.
WHEN TO PERFORM BREAST SELF-EXAM
Menstruating women: Hormonal changes due to the menstrual cycle may make the breasts more lumpy or swollen. Women who are menstruating should perform breast self-exams from a few days to about a week after menstruation (period) has ended, when breasts are usually less tender or swollen.
Women who are no longer menstruating: should do their BSE on the same day every month. Try to pick a day that is easy to remember.
Women using oral contraceptives: are encouraged to do their BSE each month on the day they begin a new package of oral contraceptives.
THE PROCEDURE FOR BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION
- BSE IS DONE IN THE SHOWER OR BATH WHEN THE SKIN IS SLIPPERY WITH SOAP AND WATER, EXAMINE THE BREAST.
- USE THE PADS OF YOUR SECOND, THIRD, AND FOURTH FINGERS TO PRESS EVERY PART OF THE BREAST FIRMLY.
- USE THE RIGHT HAND TO EXAMINE THE LEFT BREAST AND USE THE LEFT HAND TO EXAMINE THE RIGHT BREAST.
- USING THE PADS OF THE FINGERS EXAMINE THE ENTIRE BREAST ONE AFTER THE OTHER USING SMALL CIRCULAR MOTIONS IN A SPIRAL OR UP AND DOWN MOTION SO THAT THE ENTIRE BREAST AREA IS EXAMINED.
- REPEAT THE PATTERN OF PALPITATION UNDER THE ARM. CHECK FOR ANY LUMP, HARD KNOT OR THICKENING OF THE TISSUE.
- STAND WITH YOUR ARM AT YOUR SIDE AND LOOK AT THE BREASTS IN A MIRROR.
- RAISE THE ARMS OVERHEAD AND CHECK FOR ANY CHANGES IN THE SHAPE OF THE BREAST, DUMPLING OF THE SKIN OR CHANGES IN THE NIPPLE.
- NEXT, PLACE YOUR HANDS ON YOUR HIPS AND PRESS DOWN FIRMLY, TIGHTENING THE PECTORAL MUSCLES, OBSERVE FOR ASYMMETRY OR CHANGES, KEEPING IN MIND THAT YOUR BREASTS PROBABLY DO NOT MATCH EXACTLY.
- WHILE LYING DOWN, FEEL THE BREAST AS DESCRIBED IN STEP ONE PLACING A FOLDED TOWEL UNDER THE LEFT SHOULDER WHILE EXAMINING THE LEFT AND DO SO WHEN EXAMINING THE RIGHT.
- MARK THE CALENDAR WHEN COMPLETED BSE AND NOTE ANY CHANGES OR UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS AND INFORM YOUR HCP.
