How To Properly Do A Breast Self-Exam And What To Look For

Women are a mixture of contradicting aspects. They are delicate, strong, fragile, fearless, but most importantly, absolutely perfect. Because women are these perfect creatures, they should take extra good care of their health and not neglect anything that feels odd in any part of their bodies. One of the most fragile areas in a woman’s body is her breast. Unfortunately, many women suffer from breast cancer, and if they had been more careful maybe they would have discovered the alarming symptoms before they escalated. 

This article is dedicated to all the wonderful women around the world to always stay healthy and be able to recognize anything that may need attention, specifically breast abnormalities that need their attention. There are many ways to do a breast self-exam and we’re about to let you know how to do that, and what the things you need to look for are.

Why Do a Breast Self-Exam

Women’s breasts, as mentioned earlier, are one of the most sensitive areas that need to be regularly checked. Breasts are one of the most common places that cancer may grow in. Doing a regular self-exam to check for any abnormalities that require your attention saves your life and your health. Once you notice anything suspicious, you must go to your doctor immediately. Of course, not everything a little odd means you have a serious problem. The reason you need to get checked right away is that it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Is It a Fibroadenoma or Something Else?

Fibroadenomas are small lump-like abnormalities that you may find on your breast. The way to check for them is to feel your breasts with your hands. If you feel something that feels like a marble on your breast, it’s probably a fibroadenoma. Don’t freak out though. Take a deep breath and read more here, we’ll give you further explanation. It’s nothing to worry about, as they’re not cancerous. You can usually feel like you can move them under your skin, so if this is the case you’re safe. This doesn’t mean that you ignore it though. The right thing to do is to get it tested to learn more about what it is and how to get it removed.

How Often You Should Test Yourself

Breast self-examination should be done once every month at least. Regularly looking at your breasts in the mirror and feeling them with your hands makes you more familiar with their normal feel, so you can detect anything suspicious or any changes in them. You should look for any change in shape or anything that feels like a lump, even if it was small.

The Best Ways to Do the Test

There are a few things you need to look for and different ways to do that. Here are the steps of getting a breast self-exam done right:

• Look For Changes in Shape and/or Color:

Take a good look at your breasts and make sure you do it in front of a mirror to have a full picture of your breasts. Look for any changes in their shape and size and their color. If your weight changed it’s normal for your breast size to feel like it changed a little bit. Look for a significant change in size and shape. Another thing to look for is any peculiar change in color. If you notice any changes in any of the above aspects, go to your doctor and they will ask you for the tests required.

• Feel Your Breasts with Your Fingers

Press on your breasts softly at first, then apply more pressure, then firmly press both breasts until the armpit area. What you should be checking for are lumps, any change in the feel of your breasts, any hardened parts, or any changes in the way you feel your breasts.

• When Checking Your Breasts

When you’re looking at them in the mirror, look at them when your hands are down on your side, then raise your hands up and look for anything unusual while you move.

When you feel them, move your fingers on them applying pressure gradually making sure everything feels normal. You can do this standing up and laying down with a pillow under your back on the side of the breast you’re checking.

You can save your life and health if you regularly check your breasts and make sure everything is normal. You shouldn’t get too anxious if you feel any unusual changes, as there is a big chance it’s nothing to worry about, but being safe is the healthy option. Take good care of your health and stay as wonderful as you always are.