5 Tips for Breast Self-Exams

5 Tips for Breast Self-Exams, breast cancer awareness | My Fabulous Boobies


5 Tips for Breast Self-Exams


Healthcare professionals agree that the best way to combat breast cancer is with early detection. In order to do so, women must perform regular self-exams on their breasts. It might be uncomfortable at first, but it will soon become a simple part of your routine.

Here are five tips for completing a breast self-check.

  1. Stand with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips and look at your breasts in a mirror. Breasts should be their usual size, shape, and color and evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling. If you see any of the following changes, bring them to your doctor's attention: 
    • Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin
    • A nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple 
    • Redness, soreness, rash, or swelling
  2. Raise your arms and look for the same changes.
  3. While at the mirror, look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples (this could be a watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood).
  4. Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few finger pads of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Use a circular motion, about the size of a quarter. Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side — from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage. Feel all the tissue from the front to the back of your breasts: for the skin and tissue just beneath, use light pressure; use medium pressure for tissue in the middle of your breasts; use firm pressure for the deep tissue in the back. When you've reached the deep tissue, you should be able to feel down to your ribcage.
  5. Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in step 4.
If you’ve undergone any plastic surgery, including breast augmentation in Scottsdale, consult with your doctor on best practices for your self-exams. If you have any questions, always consult your trusted healthcare professional.



*Disclosure: Today's post is a sponsored guest post. The post matched the standards of this blog and the founder/editor's approval. *

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