breast cancer is a disease where malignant cells form in the tissue of the breast. it is the second most common cancer type for women with 12.8% of women being diagnosed throughout their life.

even though most people think of women when it comes to breast cancer, roughly 1% of patients are male.

over 268,000 new cases last year alone. by far, the most common screening method for breast cancer is a mammogram. for those who have a family history or at a high risk of breast cancer, MRIs are also used.

while your doctor appointments can help you catch breast cancer early, performing monthly self-examinations of your breasts can ensure that you catch the signs as quickly as possible.

John Hopkins Medical center states, ” Forty percent of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump, so establishing a regular breast self-exam is very important. ”

self-examinations can also get you familiar with the look and feel of your breasts so you can alert your doctor if anything changes or feels unusual.

if you are a woman, your gynecologist should be examining your breasts at each check-up appointment. if you are a woman over 50 or with a heightened chance of breast cancer, your yearly mammogram is also a great way to catch cancer in its early stages.

additionally, almost 4,000 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. this is why it is extremely important for both men and women to perform regular self-examinations.

when should you start performing self-exams ?

there’s no perfect age to start performing regular self-exams. some women may start as early as their teens while others may wait until 20’s or 30’s. truthfully, it never hurts to get to know your own body as early as possible.

performing these regular self-exams can help you learn what is normal for your body, so when you find an abnormal lump, you can tell your doctor immediately.

most of the time, if you find a lump, it’s very unlikely to be cancerous. in fact, only 2 out of 10 lumps are found to be cancerous. still, it’s important to visit your doctor if you notice any abnormalities at all.

how often should you perform a self-exam ?

it’s best to perform a self-exam once a month. after a while, it will become a simple part of your routine.

40% of cases of breast cancer are found by women who conducted their own self-exam. had they waited until doctor found breast cancer, their situation could have worsened significantly.

how to examine yourself

the national breast cancer foundation suggest performing self-exams one a month. you can perform a self-exam in front of a mirror while lying down or in the shower.

in front of a mirror :

with your arms resting at your sides, visually examine your breasts. next, raise your arms above your head. look for any changes in the contour of your breast shape, any swelling or dimpling of the skin, or a change in color of the nipples.

then, rest your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex the muscles in your chest. it’s unlikely that both breasts will match exactly (very few women have breasts that do) but look for any puckering, dimpling or changes- especislly if it is only on one side.

lying down :

while you’re lying down, your breast tissue spreads evenly along the chest wall. place a pillow behind your head, and under your right shoulder and arm. using your left hand, gently move the pads of your fingers around your right breast in small circular motions. be sure to cover the entire breast and armpit.

use light, medium and firm pressure to access the layers of your tissue. squeeze your nipples and check for discharge and lumps. repeat these steps for your left breast.

in the shower :

using the pads of your finger, examine your entire breast and armpit with a circular pattern, moving from the outside to the center. check a hardened knot. if you notice any changes, alert your healthcare provider right away.