In today’s era, the most common cancer among women worldwide is breast cancer. Early detection is crucial for successful treatment and a positive outcome. Regular breast self-examinations (BSEs) can help women detect any abnormalities or changes in their breasts, which may be an early sign of breast cancer. In this article, we will discuss how to check breast cancer at home through BSEs.
How to Check Breast Cancer at Home?
You should know how to do a self breast exam by following the below mentioned steps:
- Know Your Breasts
- Examine Your Breasts
- Check Your Nipples
- Check Your Armpits
- Perform BSE Regularly
Know Your Breasts
It is important to know what your breasts look and feel like so that you can detect any changes. Stand in front of a mirror and visually inspect your breasts for any changes in size, shape, or color. Check for any visible lumps or bumps, dimpling or puckering of the skin, changes in the nipple, or any discharge.
Examine Your Breasts
You should also know how to check breast cancer at home and perform a physical examination to detect any lumps or abnormalities. Lie down on your back and place a pillow or folded towel under your right shoulder. With your right arm behind your head, use the fingertips of your left hand to examine your right breast. Start at the outer edge and work your way in a circular motion towards the nipple, feeling for any lumps, thickening, or other changes.
Check Your Nipples
Check your nipples for any discharge, which can be a sign of breast cancer. Gently squeeze each nipple for checking any discharge. If you are prone to any unusual discharge, contact your healthcare provider.
Check Your Armpits
Breast cancer can also spread to the lymph nodes under your arm. Gently feel your armpits for any lumps or swelling. If you notice any unusual lumps, contact your healthcare provider and get to know how to check breast cancer at home.
Perform BSE Regularly
Performing a BSE regularly will help you to become familiar with your breasts and detect any changes early. The best time to perform a BSE is a few days after your period ends when your breasts are less likely to be swollen or tender. If you have reached menopause, choose a specific day of the month to perform your BSE.
What Does a Breast Self-Check Involve?
Doing a breast self-check is a simple, no-equipment method to stay aware of any unusual changes in your breast tissue. Understanding how to check at home for breast cancer doesn’t mean diagnosing yourself—it means staying in tune with what’s normal for your body and noticing when something feels off. Here’s what the process typically includes:
- Visual Inspection in Front of a Mirror: Stand with your shoulders straight and arms by your sides. Then, raise your arms above your head and check again. Look closely for visible changes like dimpling, puckering, nipple inversion, or skin that resembles the texture of an orange peel.
- Check for Symmetry and Contour Changes: Observe both breasts to identify any recent difference in shape or size. Although it’s normal for one breast to be slightly different, a sudden change should be noted.
- Palpation While Lying Down: Lie on your back and place a pillow under one shoulder. Use the opposite hand to gently press your breast in small circular motions using the pads of your fingers. Move from the outer breast toward the nipple, covering the entire area, including your armpits.
- Use Varying Pressure Levels: Begin with light pressure to feel tissue just beneath the skin, then use medium and firm pressure to examine deeper layers. This layered approach can help detect anything unusual at different depths.
- Check During a Shower: Many find it easier to feel changes when their skin is wet and slippery. Use the same circular motion technique, covering all areas thoroughly while standing in the shower.
- Note Any Nipple Discharge or Pain: If you notice any fluid (not breast milk), redness, or localized pain that persists, make a note of it. Discharge—especially if it’s bloody or occurs without squeezing—can be a warning sign worth discussing with a medical professional.
Regular self-checks offer a better understanding of your body and help catch subtle changes early, making them a valuable habit in long-term breast health awareness.
How Frequently Should You Do a Breast Self-Check?
If you’re learning how to check for breast cancer at home yourself, knowing when to do it is just as crucial as how. Regular checks help build awareness of what’s normal for your body, making unusual changes easier to spot. Here’s how often you should do it:
- Once a month: Monthly checks are ideal to stay consistent and aware of any changes.
- After your period ends: The best time is 3–5 days after your period, when breast tissue is less tender.
- If not menstruating: Choose a fixed date every month to maintain routine.
- Track changes: Keep notes on anything unusual, even if it seems minor.
- Avoid overchecking: More frequent checks may cause confusion or anxiety.
- Include clinical screenings: Combine self-checks with doctor evaluations for complete care.
What Is the Right Way to Do a Breast Self-Check?
Understanding how to check at home for breast cancer starts with learning the correct technique. A thorough self-exam involves both visual observation and physical touch. This simple routine can help you identify any new lumps, changes in texture, or differences in size that might need medical attention. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:
- Begin with a Mirror Check: Stand straight with your arms at your sides, then raise them overhead. Observe the shape, size, and contour of both breasts. Look for dimpling, puckering, skin irritation, nipple changes, or any asymmetry you haven’t noticed before.
- Check While Lying Down: Lie flat on your back with a pillow under one shoulder and your corresponding hand behind your head. Use the pads of your fingers from the opposite hand to press in small circular motions, moving from the outside toward the nipple. Cover the entire breast, collarbone, and armpit area.
- Use Varying Pressure: Start with light pressure for tissue just under the skin, medium for middle layers, and firm for deep tissue near the ribs. This helps you feel the full depth of the breast tissue and catch anything unusual.
- Repeat the Process While Standing or in the Shower: Wet skin can make it easier to glide your fingers and feel changes. Use the same circular motion across the entire area, making sure not to skip any section.
- Gently Squeeze the Nipples: Check for any discharge or fluid. While occasional clear fluid can be normal, bloody or milky discharge—especially if you’re not breastfeeding—should be noted and brought to a doctor’s attention.
By knowing how to check for breast cancer at home yourself is a valuable part of knowing your body. If you notice anything that doesn’t feel right, early evaluation by a healthcare provider can make a difference.
What is the Usual Duration of a Breast Check?
Learning how to check for breast cancer lumps at home means understanding both the technique and the time it takes to do it properly. While the process is simple, giving it your full attention ensures that no area is missed. A thorough self-exam doesn’t require much time but should be done with care and focus. Here’s what to expect in terms of duration and process:
- Average Duration: 5 to 10 Minutes: A complete breast self-check typically takes no longer than 10 minutes. This includes both visual inspection and physical examination.
- Mirror Observation: 1–2 Minutes: Spend a couple of minutes standing in front of the mirror, first with your arms down, then raised. Observe both breasts for visual changes like swelling, shape differences, or skin irregularities.
- Physical Check While Lying Down: 3–5 Minutes: Use your fingers to methodically check the entire breast area, including underarms and up to the collarbone. Take your time to apply light, medium, and firm pressure to feel tissue at different depths.
- Optional Shower Check: 1–2 Minutes: If you prefer checking in the shower, glide your soapy fingers in circular motions over your breasts and underarms. This step can be quicker but should still be thorough.
- Consistency Over Speed:: It’s more important to be thorough than to rush. Even if you spend a bit more than 10 minutes, ensuring all areas are covered helps in identifying potential issues early.
By Learning how to check for breast cancer lumps at home can dedicating just a few minutes each month, you can stay actively involved in monitoring your breast health, making it easier to detect lumps or unusual changes early on.
Natural Treatment for Breast Cancer Side Effects
Here are some things you should know how to check breast cancer at home so that you can help manage the side effects of breast cancer treatment:
- Eat a Healthy Diet: A healthy diet can help support your immune system, provide you with the necessary nutrients to promote healing, and give you the energy you need to fight cancer. Try to eat a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains. Limit consumption of processed or sugary foods, and alcohol.
- Exercise Regularly: After knowing how to check breast cancer at home, start exercising as it can help you manage stress, improve your mood, increase your energy levels, and strengthen your immune system. Consult with your healthcare provider to develop an exercise plan that is safe and appropriate for your condition.
- Manage Stress: Breast cancer treatment can be physically and emotionally challenging. Finding ways how to do a self-breast exam can manage your stress level besides improving your quality of life. Try meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, or other relaxation techniques.
- Get Enough Sleep: Getting enough rest is important for your overall health and can help you manage the side effects of breast cancer treatment. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night and create a relaxing sleep environment.
- Follow Your Treatment Plan: Following your treatment plan as prescribed by your healthcare team is essential to managing breast cancer. This may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or other treatments. Work closely with your healthcare team to receive the best possible care.
Conclusion
Understanding how to do a self breast exam and knowing how to check breast cancer at home empowers you to stay alert to early warning signs. Regular monthly checks help you become familiar with your body’s normal feel and appearance, making it easier to notice unusual changes. While a self-exam doesn’t replace medical screenings, it plays a valuable role in personal health awareness. Staying consistent with these checks builds confidence and encourages timely action if something feels off. Make it a routine part of your self-care.
Read also Causes of Premature Birth.