Why Is It So Important To Regularly Perform a Breast Self-Examination?

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Breast health has never been more important in 2022. Whether you’re a man or woman, your breasts are important and need as much care and attention as any other body part. As a woman, you need to pay extra attention to your breast health to stay one step ahead of possible life-threatening conditions. The best way to keep track of your breast health is to get a personal, specialized doctor. 

Having a personal obstetrician or gynecologist is important, but it’s not always accessible to everyone. Another way to keep an eye on your health without a doctor is to self-examine your breasts often. If you’re curious or looking to learn more about proper breast health and safety, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about breast health and why self-examination is so important today. 

Why do it?

To understand why self-examination is so important, you first need to understand its purpose. With certain conditions and diseases, early diagnosis can mean the difference between life and death. A physical breast examination can be done by both the doctor and the patient and can help discover early signs of trouble. 

Whether you can’t get to your doctor on time or you don’t have one, a self-exam is the next best thing. If you know what you’re looking for, self-examination can help you diagnose certain conditions, before they become a problem. Those at https://www.bedfordbreastcenter.com/breast-ultrasound/ say that physical exams and mammograms are key to early diagnosis. Although self-examination is not always the most reliable technique, it can point you in the right direction way ahead of time. 

How to prepare for a self-breast-exam

Now that you know why self-examinations are so important, it’s time to learn how to do them! The best way to learn how to conduct a proper breast exam on yourself is to get a demonstration. Look up some tutorials online or speak to your doctor and ask for a demonstration. Learn some of the telltale signs, what they look like, and how to spot them. When examining your breasts, make sure you’re using the right technique and pressure. Learning the right technique is key to proper examination and not hurting yourself. 

Once you’ve gotten the hang of it, it’s time to practice and get accustomed to your body. The more accustomed you are to the look, feel, and shape of your breasts, the more likely you are to spot any changes or signs. Remember to check in with your doctor or a medical professional along the way if you’re uncertain or notice any abnormalities. 

How to self-examine and what to expect

Before stepping into a self-examination for your breasts, you need to know the steps and what to expect. Any physical breast examination is done in two parts: visually and by using your hands. The best way to start is with a visual exam and then move on to using your hands.  

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Visual examination

To start your visual self-examination, sit down topless in front of a mirror with your hands by your sides. Inspect your breasts for any visible discoloration, discharge, puckering, or dimpling. Look for any changes in shape and size and leave no stone unturned. 

Once you’ve examined your breasts in this position, place your arms on your hips and examine again. Finally, once you’ve done this, place your arms above your head and examine again. Don’t forget to lift your breasts to check underneath. If you have trouble seeing or are visually impaired, ask someone you know and trust to help you examine.

Use you hands

After the visual examination, it’s time to use your hands to inspect in more detail. The easiest way to examine your breasts with your hands is by lying down or in the shower. Lying down thins and flattens the breast skin making it easier to examine and soap helps your hands glide across your skin in the shower.

Use the pads of your fingers or the palms of your hands to examine your breasts. Use different pressure levels to feel for any lumps, bumps, or textures on the surface or within the breast. Remember to be gentle yet thorough and to take your time when examining. Whether you go in small circles or from left to right, pick a pattern and examine the breast in full. 

The results of a breast exam

The results of a physical breast exam can differ drastically from body to body. Certain lumps and textures are normal for many women. The look and feel of your breasts can also change during your menstrual cycle, which is normal. These recurring yet similar changes are no cause for panic.

However, if you notice any sudden or drastic changes in your breasts, consider contacting your doctor immediately. Lumps near the armpit area, unfamiliar discharge, itching, or redness are things to be on the lookout for. A drastic change in weight or shape of the breast, as well as the skin around the nipples, can be a cause for concern. 

What are the risks

As with any self-examination technique, examining your breasts comes with its own set of risks. If done incorrectly, either with too much force or friction, you can end up damaging your breast tissue. It’s important to be gentle when examining yourself so as to not cause more harm.

It’s also worth mentioning that self-examination is not a substitute for a qualified professional’s opinion. Examining your breasts can bring you one step closer to getting a diagnosis, but it is not the final step. It’s also important to take what you find with a grain of salt, and not let a lump give you anxiety without a professional’s opinion. 

So there you have it! With this guide in mind, it’s easy to see why self-examining your breasts often is so important. Self-examination can help you spot potential conditions before they become life-threatening. To get the most out of self-examination, you need to learn what to look out for and how to do it right. 

Get well acquainted with your breasts so you can spot changes faster and better. Know what to do if you find something suspicious. Remember to keep your cool and contact a medical professional before jumping to conclusions. Regular breast exams can save your life, so learn how to do them!

Why Is It So Important To Regularly Perform a Breast Self-Examination? was last modified: by