How to do a breast self-exam (and warning signs)

To perform a breast self-examination, it is necessary to follow three main steps, which include observing in front of a mirror, palpating the breast while standing up and repeating the palpation lying down.

Breast self-examination is not considered one of the preventive cancer exams and does not allow for the diagnosis of cancer, however, it helps women to get to know their body better, allowing them to be aware of possible changes that may appear in the breast. See the 11 signs that could indicate breast cancer.

All women over the age of 20, with a case of cancer in the family, or over 40 years of age, without a case of cancer in the family, must undergo a breast self-examination to prevent and diagnose breast cancer early. This exam can also be done by men, as they can also suffer from this type of cancer, presenting similar symptoms.

When to do a self-examination

Breast self-examination can be done once a month, every month, between the 3rd and 5th day after menstruation, which is when the breasts are most flaccid and painless, or on a fixed date in women who no longer have menstruation. .

This examination allows women to understand the anatomy of their own breasts, the shape and normal appearance of the breasts, and to identify possible changes in shape, color, size and texture, as well as the presence of lumps in the breast.

When faced with changes in the breast, one should consult a gynecologist or mastologist for examinations, as there are many health conditions that can alter the breasts, which includes breast cancer, the sooner it is diagnosed, the better the chances of a cure. .

Step-by-step instructions for doing a breast self-exam

To correctly perform a breast self-examination, it is important to carry out the assessment at 3 different times: in front of the mirror, standing up and lying down, following the following steps:

1. In front of the mirror

To carry out the observation in front of the mirror, you must remove all your clothes and observe following the following scheme:

1. First, observe with your arms hanging;
2. Then, raise your arms and observe your breasts;
3. Finally, it is advisable to place your hands on the pelvis, applying pressure to observe if there is any change in the surface of the breast.

During observation, it is important to assess the size, shape and color of the breasts, as well as any swelling, sagging, protrusions or roughness.

If there are changes that were not present in the previous exam or there are differences between the breasts, it is recommended to consult a gynecologist or a mastologist.

2. Standing

Foot palpation should be done during the bath with the body wet and hands soapy. To do this you must:

1. Raise your left arm, placing your hand behind your head as shown in image 4;
2. Carefully palpate the left breast with the right hand using the movements shown in image 5;
3. Repeat these steps for the breast on the right side.

Palpation should be done with the fingers together and stretched in circular movements across the entire breast and from top to bottom.

After palpating the breast, you should also press the nipples gently to see if any liquid is escaping.

3. Lying down

To perform palpation while lying down, you must:

1. Lie down and place your left arm behind your neck, as shown in image 4;
2. Place a pillow or towel under your left shoulder to make it more comfortable;
3. Palpate the left breast with your right hand, as shown in image 5.

These steps must be repeated on the right breast to complete the assessment of both breasts.

If it is possible to feel changes that were not present in the previous exam, it is recommended to consult a gynecologist to carry out diagnostic tests and identify the problem.

What are the warning signs

The symptoms to be aware of when doing a breast self-examination are:

• Changes in the skin of the breast, such as dimples, wrinkles or lumps;
• Enlargement or swelling of one of the breasts, presenting different sizes or shapes;
• Redness or changes in the color of the breast;
• Pain, swelling or shrinkage in some area of ​​the breast;
• Outflow of watery, milky, yellow liquid or blood from the nipple;
• Redness, scaling or change in position of the nipple, such as facing inward;
• Sores or blisters on the skin.

Additionally, another important warning sign is the presence of a lump or hard mass inside the breast or near the armpit.

What to do if you find a lump

The presence of small nodules in the breast is relatively common, especially in women, and does not indicate that cancer is developing.

However, if this nodule increases over time or causes other symptoms, it may indicate malignancy and should therefore be investigated by a doctor.

While in women, mammography is the best way to identify a possible malignant change, in men, the best exam is palpation.

However, if the man identifies any changes, he should go to the doctor so that he can also perform palpation and request other tests, if necessary.