Breast cancer is a sneaky, relentless disease that is known for causing significant damage— but this damage, more often than not, can also be caught and prevented. Between regular breast self-exams and mammograms, you can protect yourself from a tumor’s progression. Much like bi-yearly pap smears, breast examinations are designed to help catch the early stages of cancerous growth; when discovered in these stages, a patient’s prognosis is far better.
While the ins and outs needed to perform a mammogram and likely well-ingrained in the head of your physician, self breast exams (which are equally important) might pose some lingering questions for you: how are they done? How often should I be doing them? What am I looking for? Today, we’re answering all your questions.
What is a Breast Self-Exam?
A breast self-exam is a simple procedure that you can do at home; it involves physically checking your mammary tissue for any lumps or other strange features. As you check your breasts for lumps, try to remember that you are used to your body, so you may not notice a feature or mole that has always been there.
Who Should Perform Breast Self-Exams?
Breast self-exams aren’t just for older women; in fact, they’re far more important for women of childbearing age than many of us realize. Since contraceptive use has been linked to a higher (albeit still low) risk of developing breast cancer, teens, young adults, and even younger mothers should regularly perform breast self-exams to make sure they are lump-free.
If you do feel or see something abnormal during your in-home exam, be sure to call up your general practitioner or gynecologist to schedule an exam and, potentially, a mammogram.
How to Perform a Breast Self-Exam
First and foremost, plan to examine your breasts about once per month; this is extremely important as the more familiar you are with your body, the more likely you are to notice irregularities. Each month, use a mirror to examine the exterior portion of your chest. You are looking for abnormal swelling, redness, dimpling, and inversion or discharge of the nipples.
After your surface check, lie down on a comfortable surface and use the pads of all four fingers to firmly (but not so firm that you hurt yourself) assess the deeper layers of mammary tissue. Breast tissue can feel quite lumpy and still be completely normal; what you’re feeling for is an area that is starkly different from the surrounding lumpiness. Cancerous masses and other abnormalities are often hard and have defined borders.
In addition to this more thorough, monthly exam, you can also frequently check your breasts while in the shower. This is especially recommended for women who have a family history of breast cancer or many risk factors associated with this cancer type.
Am I Looking For More Than Lumps?
There are actually seven typical signs of breast cancer, and unusual lumps are just one. It’s important to remember that breast cancer often presents in other ways before you even notice the tell-tale lump. For example, if you notice lymph node swelling and redness around your breasts, skin dimpling, etc., you may want to get checked out by a professional. In general, if something feels wrong, get it checked out!
Where Can I Get a Mammogram in San Francisco?
A mammogram is an important detection and diagnostic tool in your fight against developing breast cancer. Many physicians recommend that women 40 years of age and older schedule yearly mammograms. We understand that it isn’t the most comfortable diagnostic tool, but mammography saved more than 27,000 lives in 2018 alone. Don’t hesitate to find a trusted BICRAD location near you to start your screening now.