Breast

Self-Examination

A presentation by:
UckJin, Heather,
and Yajjayra
 Introduction
What is a breast self-exam?

BSE, or breast self-exam, is a breast cancer

screening tool. It is a way a woman can check her
breasts for any problems or changes that can help
detect any warnings signs of breast cancer.
 Facts…
Breast cancer can occur at any age , though it is most
common in women older than 50.
A breast self-examination is
done to detect breast cancer or
other conditions that may
require medical attention. Many
breast problems are first
discovered by women
themselves, often by accident.
 The American Cancer Society says…
American Cancer Society statistics show that one
out of every eight women in the
U.S. will develop breast cancer in
her lifetime. Even men can get
breast cancer. But thanks to
better, more advanced treatments,
many of those diagnosed with
breast cancer will go on to live
full, active lives.
 Fatality Rate of breast cancer…

Estimated new cases and deaths from

breast cancer in the United States in 2010:

New cases: 207,090 (female); 1,970 (male)

Deaths: 39,840 (female); 390 (male)

 What is Breast Cancer?
The breast is made up of glands and fat. Breast cancer
is an uncontrolled growth of
breast cells. Normally, these cells
grow and recede but when some
cells become abnormal, their
growth cannot be controlled. The
term “breast cancer” refers
to a malignant tumor.

Breast cancer showing an inverted

nipple, lump, and skin dimpling.
 Signs and Symptoms
Breast cancer can begin in different areas of the breast
– these are some signs to watch for:
• swelling • thickening of the
• skin irritation or nipple or skin
dimpling • a nipple discharge
• breast pain • a lump in the
• nipple pain or underarm area
inversion • orange-peel
• redness or scaliness appearance
 Signs and Symptoms

lump in skin
nipple discharge nipple inversion
or
underarm area

changes in changes in
color size
or dimpling or shape
Why do a Breast Self-Examination?
There are various great reasons for doing a
breast self-examination every month.
When to do a Breast
Self-Examination?
The best time to do a breast self-
examination is one week after your
period begins, when your breasts are
not tender or swollen. If you do not
have regular periods or sometimes
skip a month, choose a day of the
month that is easy to remember and
do it the same time each month.
 How to Examine the Breasts?
There are two parts to a BSE:
• How the breasts look
• How the breasts feel
The looking part involves
standing or sitting in front of
a mirror with the arms
relaxed at the sides.
 STEP 1
Look for:
• Breasts that are their usual
size, shape, and color
• Breasts that are evenly
shaped without visible
distortion or swelling.
Raise your arms and look for
the same changes as before.
 Look at yourself squarely in the mirror…

• Place your hands on your waist

and compare your breasts while
turning from side to side.
• Look for any changes in breast
size, shape, skin texture or color.
• Notice any nipple changes.
 Bending towards mirror…

• Place your hands at your waist

and bow toward the, letting your
breasts fall forward.
• Note any changes in breast shape.
If you see any dimpling, puckering,
or bulging of the skin bring it to
your providers attention.
 How to manually
examine the breasts?

The next part is how the

breasts feel. The breasts are
examined using the pads of
your three middle fingers, not
the fingertips, in overlapping
circular motions about the size
of a dime.
 Suggested patterns of examination…

These patterns when used to examine breast will ensure

complete coverage.
 STEP 2
Using small circular motions…

• Begin by examining each area

with light, soft, and smooth
touch.
• Then increase the pressure
gradually, by doing this you can
feel deeper tissues.
• Feel above and below your
collarbone for pea- and bean-
sized lumps or thickening.
 2. Get to Know How Your Breasts Feel.

• Check for lumps or thickening

under your arm while relaxing
your arm at your side.
• Reach across with your other
hand to feel the area. Check
deeply up and down the inside of
the armpit, and up and forward
toward your chest.
 STEP 3

• Gently squeeze each nipple and

check for nipple discharge.
• Nipple discharge can be a sign of
a problem.
• Look for any discharge in your
bra or clothing.
• Notify your health care provider
if you notice any discharge.
 STEP 4
• For this step you will need to lie
down, put a pillow under the
side of the breast you are going
to examine.
• Place the hand behind your head.
• By doing this the breast tissue
distributes more evenly on chest.
 Using patterns suggested above…

• Begin by examining each area

with light, soft, and smooth
touch.
• Then increase the pressure
gradually, by doing this you can
feel deeper tissues.
 Make sure to be very thorough, the earlier breast
cancer is identified, the earlier it can be treated….

• Cover whole breast from

collarbone to top of abdomen.
• Include the sides of the breast
and underarm.
• Then move an inch closer
towards the nipple, keep circling
to examine every part of your
breast, including nipple.
 While in shower or bathtub….
It is suggested to do the next
part in the shower because
fingers slide over soapy skin,
making it easy to concentrate on
the texture underneath.
• You may sit or stand.
• Using same patterns as described
previously, cover entire breasts.
• This includes the upper breast
and underarm.
 What If I Find Something?
Most commonly, lumps such as cysts, are benign and are
usually not a serious health problem. However, always
report any changes in your breasts to your health care
provider.

Fibrocystic breast changes: Solid or fluid-

filled lumps that increase in size and
tenderness five to seven days before each
menstrual period.
Intraductal papilloma: A small, wart like
growth near the nipple that may cause
bleeding from the nipple.
Mastitis: A warm, tender, lumpy area on the
breast that appears red.
Traumatic fat necrosis: Painless, round, firm
lumps that can result from a bruise or a blow
to the breast.
Cyst: A smooth, fluid-filled lump often
sensitive to the touch before the menstrual
period.
 Conclusion
Early detection is important, because treatments are more
effective when cancers are small.
For women age 20 to 39:
• A monthly breast self-exam
• A clinical breast exam by a trained health professional every one to
three years
For women age 40 and older:
• A monthly breast self-exam
• A yearly clinical breast exam by a trained health professional
• A yearly screening mammogram starting at age 40
 References
Breast Cancer Program and Breast
Cancer Treatment at City of Hope

How To Do Your Breast Self-Exam BSE

How To Perform a Breast Self-Examination

Susan G. Komen for the Cure –

Breast Self-Exam
Thank You