Kosters and Gotzche (2013) advised women to carry out
breast self-examination each month by inspecting their breasts looking at
a good mirror in a well-lighted room and then palpate the breast thoroughly by one or more of the methods described above. Women are expected to set up a regular schedule each month to check their breasts and record
the date and what they find for their own records. When carrying out BSE, women are to choose a quiet time when they will not be interrupted. They should also be in a good state of mind, unstressed and unhurried. The
use of a favourite hand lotion will often allow the hands to slide easily and smoothly over the breast.
breast self-examination each month by inspecting their breasts looking at
a good mirror in a well-lighted room and then palpate the breast thoroughly by one or more of the methods described above. Women are expected to set up a regular schedule each month to check their breasts and record
the date and what they find for their own records. When carrying out BSE, women are to choose a quiet time when they will not be interrupted. They should also be in a good state of mind, unstressed and unhurried. The
use of a favourite hand lotion will often allow the hands to slide easily and smoothly over the breast.
Step 1: Standing-in
front of a mirror
front of a mirror
•
Standing undressed facing a mirror that enable
the woman to see the breasts.
Standing undressed facing a mirror that enable
the woman to see the breasts.
•
Check for any changes in the shape or
look of the breasts.
Check for any changes in the shape or
look of the breasts.
•
Carefully inspect the breasts noticing the contour and shape. Looking for any unusual skin or nipple changes, such as puckering skin,
dimpling, scaling, colour changes or discoloration, discharge or fluid coming
from the nipple of the breasts.
Carefully inspect the breasts noticing the contour and shape. Looking for any unusual skin or nipple changes, such as puckering skin,
dimpling, scaling, colour changes or discoloration, discharge or fluid coming
from the nipple of the breasts.
•
Look carefully at the breasts with both arms at
the sides.
Look carefully at the breasts with both arms at
the sides.
•
Watching closely in the mirror, move
the arms above the head and clasp them behind the head and press
elbows forward.
Watching closely in the mirror, move
the arms above the head and clasp them behind the head and press
elbows forward.
•
Watching closely as she move both arms straight up over the head, placing both hands on the hips and pressing firmly on each hip
to flex the chest muscles,
move forward and look for any dimpling or any unusual changes in contour.
Watching closely as she move both arms straight up over the head, placing both hands on the hips and pressing firmly on each hip
to flex the chest muscles,
move forward and look for any dimpling or any unusual changes in contour.
•
Now palpate the armpits and breasts as described above.
Now palpate the armpits and breasts as described above.
•
Gently squeeze the breast just above the nipples palpating gently
to see if there is any lump under the nipple areas.
Gently squeeze the breast just above the nipples palpating gently
to see if there is any lump under the nipple areas.
•
Milk the tissue
down toward the nipple between the thumb and index
finger.
Milk the tissue
down toward the nipple between the thumb and index
finger.
Any discharge, whether
clear or bloody, should be reported to the physician.
clear or bloody, should be reported to the physician.
Step 2: While lying down
•
Place a pillow or folded towel
under the right or left shoulder.
This position flattens the breast over the chest wall and makes the examination easier.
Place a pillow or folded towel
under the right or left shoulder.
This position flattens the breast over the chest wall and makes the examination easier.
•
Raise one hand over the head.
Raise one hand over the head.
•
As stated above,
using the flat pads of the fingers of the opposite hand, press gently against
the breast.
As stated above,
using the flat pads of the fingers of the opposite hand, press gently against
the breast.
•
Begin with exploring the armpit and then with
the index finger next to the collarbone.
Begin with exploring the armpit and then with
the index finger next to the collarbone.
•
Move the hand clockwise around the breast gently palpating both breasts.
Move the hand clockwise around the breast gently palpating both breasts.
•
This can be started with small circles and then follow with using the up-and-down
“strip” palpation or wedge pattern of examination.
This can be started with small circles and then follow with using the up-and-down
“strip” palpation or wedge pattern of examination.
•
Use light, medium, and
firm pressure over each area of the breast.
Use light, medium, and
firm pressure over each area of the breast.
•
Feel a ridge of tissue in the lower curve of
the breast.
Feel a ridge of tissue in the lower curve of
the breast.
•
Continue to the nipple and then check all around it.
Continue to the nipple and then check all around it.
•
Repeat this step
with the breast by first changing to
the opposite side and then
repeating the steps listed above.
Repeat this step
with the breast by first changing to
the opposite side and then
repeating the steps listed above.
•
Gently squeeze the
nipples of each breast for
any discharge. Take time and thoroughly examine both breasts.
Gently squeeze the
nipples of each breast for
any discharge. Take time and thoroughly examine both breasts.
Step 3: While in the bath or shower
This can replace the
standing or lying down procedures or, for best result, be done along with each
of the other evaluations.
standing or lying down procedures or, for best result, be done along with each
of the other evaluations.
•
Raise the right arm. With soapy hands and fingers flat, check the right breast. The hands will glide
easily over breasts when your skin is wet.
Raise the right arm. With soapy hands and fingers flat, check the right breast. The hands will glide
easily over breasts when your skin is wet.
•
Repeat the same
steps outlined above for the standing and lying positions.
Repeat the same
steps outlined above for the standing and lying positions.
•
Use the small circles,
up-and-down (strips) or wedge patterns described in the section on pattern.
Use the small circles,
up-and-down (strips) or wedge patterns described in the section on pattern.
•
Repeat the same
procedures on the left breast.
Repeat the same
procedures on the left breast.
