We aired a special health alert this week, followed by a live call-in special to educate women on how to properly do a breast self-exam and then answer any questions they may have about the process. The response was incredible and I thank everyone who wrote or called in with thoughts and opinions. Breast self-exam is an important part of overall breast health. Most health care professionals say women should be doing them monthly in addition to a yearly clinical breast exam done by a doctor. If you’re 40 or older, or have a high risk of breast cancer or a family history of the disease, you should also be getting a mammogram every year.
The benefit of the breast self exam is that you get to know your breasts and your body. When you are familiar with what your breasts look and feel like every month, you’re more apt to notice any changes that could signal trouble. Many of us don’t take time to do these simple exams, even though it takes only about five minutes. The key is to cover the entire breast, up and down, and side to side, using your first two or three fingers. Move in a circular motion and don’t forget the tissue around and on your nipples. You should be covering the area near your armpit and in the center of your breasts as well.
If you notice changes in the appearance, size, or feel of your breasts, talk to your doctor. Now, there is some criticism that breast self exam leads to unnecessary and often painful tests because women find something that isn’t of concern and they want it checked out. This is where consistency comes in. If you do the breast self exam monthly and at the same time of the month, you are less likely to be alarmed by normal changes to your breasts around the time of your period or from weight gain or loss.
Breast cancer is the number two killer of women in this country. If taking five minutes a month to check your breasts can help change that, isn’t it worth it?
