Cancer: Self-Examination

Self-Examination

Every woman should be alert to any change in her breasts, particularly dimpling of the skin, retraction of or discharge from the nipple. She should examine her breasts daily for lumps during the week following menstruation or once a month after menopause. The procedure:

1) Lie down and place the right hand behind the head. Then, with the fingers of the left hand flattened, gently feel the right breast. Repeat the procedure on the left breast, noting any differences between the two.

2) To check the breast thoroughly, start at the nipple, moving outward in concentric circles until the entire breast has been examined.

3) After checking both breasts in the supine position, sit up and repeat the procedure, keeping the appropriate hand behind the head.

A woman who is familiar with what her breasts feel like in their normal state should be able to recognize any thickening immediately and detect a lump less than half an inch in diameter. If she does find one, she should see her doctor without delay.

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