Transcript Breast Self Exam - Operation Pink Bag

Breast Self Exam
Early Detection is the Key
www.operationpinkbag.org
Taking Care of YOU
The best gift you can give to yourself
and your family is a healthy YOU.
www.operationpinkbag.org
Three Steps to Early Detection
1. Mammogram- yearly starting at age 40
- American Cancer Society recommends yearly
breast self exams beginning at age 20.
www.operationpinkbag.org
Three Steps to Early Detection
2. Clinical Breast ExaminationYearly by your Health Care Provider
www.operationpinkbag.org
Three Steps to Early Detection
3. Breast Self Exam (BSE)- Monthly
www.operationpinkbag.org
When to contact your Doctor or
Health Care Provider
• Anytime you notice changes in your breasts.
• Changes that continue even after your period
is over to include:
– Nipple discharge or skin changes
– Breast tenderness unrelated to your period
– Lump
www.operationpinkbag.org
When to Perform an Exam
• Monthly
– 6-7 days after your menstrual period ends
– If you no longer have a menstrual period,
choose a certain day and do your exam at
the same time each month.
www.operationpinkbag.org
Breast Self Exam (BSE)
• The key to BSE is knowing what is “normal” in
your breasts:
– Textures (how the breasts feel) that are present each
month.
– Visual (how the breasts look) characteristics of your
breasts that are normal for you.
– Areas of pain or tenderness that are part of your
monthly cycle.
www.operationpinkbag.org
Breast Self Exam (BSE)
• Once you know what is “normal”, you will
be able to notice when there is a change.
• If you identify a change in your breast call
your Health Care Provider to perform a
complete examination of your breasts.
www.operationpinkbag.org
Steps for Breast Self Exam
• Visual
• Standing/Sitting Upright
• Lying down
www.operationpinkbag.org
Technique
• Use the pads of your
3 middle fingers,
perform a circular
motion with your
fingers.
• Make a dime-sized
circle in each area of
your breast.
www.operationpinkbag.org
Technique
• Starting in your
armpit, do an exam
using vertical strips,
up and down, across
the entire breasts.
• Make a circle in each
area on your breast
along the vertical
lines.
www.operationpinkbag.org
Visual Examination
• While looking in the mirror
–
–
–
–
Put your arms above your head
Put your arms out to the side
Put your arms on your waist and lean forward
Changes to look for:
•
•
•
•
Dimples
Nipple changes
Redness
Leathery looking skin
www.operationpinkbag.org
Upright Examination
• In the shower or in
front of the mirror
• Perform the exam
– From the breast bone,
to the armpit
– From the collarbone to
the ribs
www.operationpinkbag.org
Lying Down Examination
• Perform the same
exam when lying
down
– Use 3 fingers
– Move from armpit to
breast bone in a
vertical strip pattern
– At each area, use a
circular motion to feel
the breast
www.operationpinkbag.org
When to Contact Your Doctor
• Anytime you notice changes in your
breasts
• Changes that continue even after your
period is over
– Nipple discharge or skin changes
– Breast tenderness unrelated to your period
– Lump
www.operationpinkbag.org
Remember to schedule
your annual screening
Mammogram
if you’re 40
or older!
www.operationpinkbag.org