Breast Self Examination.

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Breast self-examination (BSE) is a very important part of every adult woman’s personal health regimen. Many physicians and cancer organizations recommend that BSE be performed once each month beginning at age 20 and should continue each month throughout a woman’s lifetime. In addition to BSE, adult women should receive regular physician-performed clinical breast exams. The American Cancer Society recommends women 40 years of age receive a screening mammogram every one to two years. Beginning at age 50, mammography should be performed every year.

The Best Time 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-exam 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, such as the first or fifteenth of every month, and make that the day each month for breast self-exam.

Women using oral contraceptives: are encouraged to do their BSE each month on the day they begin a new package of pills.

Breast Changes and Warning Signs To Watch for During Breast Self-Exam:

- Any new lump or hard knot found in the breast or armpit
- Any lump or thickening that does not shrink or lessen after your next period
- Any change in the size, shape or symmetry of your breast
- A thickening or swelling of the breast
- Any dimpling, puckering or indention in the breast
- Dimpling, skin irritation or other change in the breast skin or nipple
- Redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin
- Nipple discharge (fluid coming from your nipples other than breast milk), particularly if the discharge is bloody, clear and sticky, dark or occurs without squeezing your nipple Nipple tenderness or pain
- Nipple retraction: turning or drawing inward or pointing in a new direction
- Any breast change that may be cause for concern

If any of these changes are noted, women should see their physicians as soon as possible for clinical evaluation. However, in the majority of cases (80%), breast lumps and changes are not cancer. Women should not allow their fear of breast cancer keep them from telling their physician or healthcare provider about a lump or change they have found.

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