Do a Breast Self Exam

Worldwide, breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer after lung cancer. Over 500,000 people die from breast cancer each year. If it's detected early enough, however, it's easier to treat and prevent from spreading. Here's how to check yourself for the early signs of breast cancer.

Steps

 * 1) [[Image:Upload 8522.gif|thumb]]Stand and raise your arms high over your head. Look for any changes in the contour of each breast, such as a swelling, a dimpling of skin or changes in the nipple.
 * 2) [[Image:Upload 8628.gif|thumb]][[Image:Breast self exam FDA5 5016.gif|thumb]]Lift your right arm and use your left hand to examine your right breast. If you're lying down, place a pillow under your right shoulder, place your right arm behind your head, and examine your right breast with your left hand.
 * 3) Fingers flat, move them gently over every part of each breast. Make small circular motions, moving vertically or in a circular pattern covering the entire breast. Check for any lump, hard knot or thickening. Also look for any changes since your last examination.
 * 4) *Breast tissue is found all the way from the nipple to under the armpit. Be sure to check along the side of your chest as it is still, technically, part of your breast.
 * 5) Switch sides.
 * 6) Repeat monthly starting at age 20.

Tips

 * Men can get breast cancer, too, and should perform this examination regularly as well.

Warnings

 * Breast cancer risk is higher among women who have a mother, aunt, sister or grandmother who was diagnosed before age 50.
 * Even though they are advocated by many institutions, doctors and other health care professionals, large population studies have demonstrated that Self Breast Exam do not change mortality. (Thomas DB, Gao DL, Ray RM, et al. Randomized trial of breast self-examination in Shanghai: final results. J Natl Cancer Inst 2002; 94:1445-7.)full text
 * Self-Exams alone will not detect most lumps or masses early enough. Mammograms, ultrasounds, and CT scans are often prescribed and should be taken seriously.

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 * How to Lower Your Chances of Getting Cancer
 * How to Deal With a Newly Detected Breast Lump
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