A breast self-exam is a check-up a woman does at home to look for changes or problems in the breast
Why to do? To detect breast cancer at early stage
When to do? 3 days after your period ends and done every month
If u have attained menopause , do on the same day every month.If you are breastfeeding do after emptying breast on same day every month
How to do?
self breast examination is done in standing, lying down and by looking in front of mirror.
By looking :
Stand before a mirror and look at size, colour and shape of both breasts and nipples
3 ways of keeping your hands
- With both arms placed beside your body
- With both hands placed on your hips
- With both arms raised and hands placed behind your head
By touching :
Raise your left arm. Use pads of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th fingers of right hand to examine your left breast for lumps, squeeze nipples for bloody discharge. Repeat on right side.
3 ways of touching:
- Once in lines up and down your breasts
- Once in circles around the breast making smaller circles towards nipples
- Once in wedges starting from outside towards nipples and back again.
Remember rule of 3:
- 3 days after cycles
- 3 positions
- 3 fingers
- 3 ways of looking
- 3 ways of touching
Halsted Breast Cancer Prevention Programme is an Initiative of Halsted Surgical Clinic to create awareness and education among woman on breast cancer/