How to self-test for breast cancer
Mar 28, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Qi Liqiang
Introduction
Breast self-examination primarily includes visual inspection, manual examination while standing, manual examination while lying down, nipple examination, and armpit palpation. Women should perform a monthly breast self-check to observe and feel for any changes, which helps maintain breast health and enables early detection of breast diseases. In addition to the above self-examination methods, women should also have regular breast health checkups at a hospital.
Breast self-examination primarily includes visual inspection, standing manual examination, lying-down manual examination, nipple examination, and armpit palpation. Women should perform a monthly breast self-check to observe and feel for any changes, which helps maintain breast health and detect breast diseases early. The specific methods are as follows:
1. Visual Inspection
Visually inspect the breasts with arms at your sides, then raise them high above your head. Look for any abnormal changes in the breast contour, such as skin swelling or breast indentation. Place your hands on your hips and press firmly to tense the chest muscles, observing whether the left and right breasts are symmetrical.
2. Standing Manual Examination
After removing your shirt and bra, use both hands to examine each breast. Use the middle three fingers with light to firm pressure to press every part of each breast, checking for lumps, thickened areas, or other changes.
3. Lying-Down Manual Examination
Place a pillow under your right shoulder, then under your left shoulder, and put the corresponding arm behind your head. Using varying degrees of pressure, thoroughly press the entire breast and surrounding areas to check for nodules. If any are found, assess whether they are mobile and have well-defined edges.
4. Nipple Examination
Closely observe the nipples for any discharge, such as blood or pus. Malignant breast lesions often lead to nipple discharge.
5. Armpit Palpation
Gently press the lymphatic tissue under the armpits with your fingers, feeling for signs of swelling, tenderness, or irregularities. The armpit contains abundant lymphatic tissue, and breast cancer may cause enlarged lymph nodes.
In addition to these self-examination techniques, women should also undergo regular clinical breast examinations at a hospital, such as mammography or breast ultrasound, to effectively rule out breast cancer.
