I’m an AKA– so clearly I’m a fan of pink. Everywhere you look during the month of October, you will see that beautiful color pink- and I love it. Even though it has nothing to do with my greek organization. If you social network, you see pink twibbons and pink avatars. You like football? You see pink cleats and catching gloves. And you know why? Because EVERYONE loves breasts!
And EVERYONE knows someone who has been affected by breast cancer. Approximately 1 in 8 women in the US will develop invasive breast cancer, and nearly 40,000 women are expected to die from it, this year alone. If you thought you were slick enough to NOT know even ONE person, I am here to burst your bubble… (no pun intended).
In 2002, at the tender age of 20, I had surgery on my right breast– there was a mass/ lump in my milk ducts. I found it during a monthly self-exam in the shower.. Although a biopsy determined that it was not cancerous, my doctor and I decided to remove it and err on the side of caution, as breast cancer is a significant part of my family’s medical history. So there. You can no longer say you don’t know of someone who has been effected.
I continue to routinely perform monthly self-examinations, and am wright-ing this only to urge you to, as well. You are your own first step of prevention– becoming familiar with the look and feel of your chesticles greatly increases your chances of identifying an abnormality, early. So, ladies– PLEASE, touch yourselves!
Here’s a step-by-step guide to a BSE (Breast Self-Exam): BEST TIME IS ONE WEEK AFTER YOUR MENSTRUAL CYCLE STARTED, when swelling and tenderness is minimal.
1. Look at them. Standing naked in front of a mirror, place your hands on your hips and admire your beauty. Then, look to determine if your breasts are the same size, shape and color as the last time. Also look to make sure they are evenly shaped, without distortion or swelling.
2. Still in front of the mirror, raise your arms above your head and look for the same “normal” indications, as instructed in Step1. (As seen in image A)
3. Take it to the Shower. A place of privacy and comfort, many women prefer shower BSEs, but because fingers glide across wet skin easily. While lying down, raise one arm above your head and use the first three fingers of your other hand to inspect the breast closest to the raised arm. In a small, circular motion (about the size of a quarter), press on the entire breast area- from collarbone to ribbs, and from armpit to cleavage. Use 3 levels of pressure: light for the skin and tissue just beneath, medium pressure for the tissue in the middle, and firm pressure to reach the deep tissue at the back of the breast. Next, do the other side. (As seen in image B)
4. Take it to the Bed. Be sure to repeat all “Step 3 in the shower” instructions carefully, to see how to properly look for lumps. (As seen in image C) Keep in mind you should move your hands in small circular motions. (As seen in image D)
5. Report abnormalities or changes to your doctor. If when you were looking in the mirror you noticed a change in size, color, shape or spotted fluid, tell your doctor. If you noticed dimpling, puckering, bulging of the skin, or nipple changes– tell your doctor. If you felt anything in the breast tissue that wasn’t there the last month– tell your doctor. At your next check-up, ask your doctor if they can watch you perform a BSE, to make sure you’re performing it correctly.
6. Stick to your monthly BSE schedule and have regular clinical check-ups. You can’t notice changes or abnormalities if you don’t know what is “normal” for your body. Self BSEs are only a way for you to individually understand Your Breasts, and are NOT a substitute for a clinical check-ups and mammograms– you and your doctor must work together, to prevent and/ or fight breast cancer.
I found something during a BSE. If you perform monthly BSEs, YOU could be as lucky as me to find it early, or luckier to find nothing– it’s all in Your Hands. Literally.
Have you ever given yourself a self breast exam? Was this article helpful to you? Do You know anyone who has been affected by breast cancer? Will you do the self breast exams often?
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