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Breast Self Examination
 Before
a mirror and with your arms at your sides, then raised above your head, then pressing
in and down on the hips and leaning forward, look carefully for changes in size and
shape of the breasts. Look for dimpling, puckering, or changes in the skin texture.
The area to be examined should extend from the underarm to the collar bone, along
the collar bone to the sternum (hard bone in the center of the chest), down the sternum
to the bra band level, across at the bra band level to directly under the arm and
up.
 Use
the sensitive pads of the middle three fingers and feel for lumps using a rubbing
motion in dime-sized circles. Vary your pressure to feel different breast tissues.
Lying down: "A" Cup or smaller -- place a towel under shoulder of breast
to be examined. Place hand of the same side as the breast to be examined under your
head. "B" cup or larger -- for the upper area only, lay on the side opposite
the breast to be examined. Your shoulder on the same side as the breast to be examined
should rotate back to the flat surface.
Choose the pattern easiest for you: the circular, the vertical stripe or the wedge.
After completing your pattern, stroke toward the nipple, squeeze gently to check
for a discharge.
This information is not to be used as a replacement for medical advice. Should
you have any questions or concerns, contact a medical professional immediately.
Another
illustrated resource for the Breast Self Exam can be seen by clicking here. |
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