姐妹們，學學自我檢查、簡簡單單十五分鍾，愛護自己保健康！ Women older than 20 years should perform monthly breast self-examinations .
A monthly self breast exam is an important tool in detecting breast cancer early. Monthly Breast Self-Exam(BSE).
Your monthly breast self-exam is an important part of your breast-care program. Examine your breasts about one week after your period ends. If you do not have regular periods(after menopause), examine your breasts on the first day of each month. Breast self-exams are easy to do and they only take a few minutes. By checking your breasts each month, you will know how your breasts normally look and feel, and you will be able to detect changes more easily. To perform a breast self-exam, follow the steps described below. In the mirror - Stand undressed from the waist up in front of a large mirror in a well-lit room. Look at your breasts. Don't be alarmed if they do not look equal in size or shape. Most women's breasts aren't. With your arms relaxed by your sides, look for any changes size, shape or texture, or any changes to the skin of the breasts. Look for any skin puckering, dimpling, sores or discoloration. Inspect your nipples and look for any sores, peeling or change in the direction of the nipples.
- Next, place your hands on your hips and press down firmly to tighten the chest muscles beneath your breasts. Turn from side to side so you can inspect the outer part of your breasts.
- Then bend forward toward the mirror. Roll your shoulders and elbows forward to tighten your chest muscles. Your breasts will fall forward. Look for any changes in the shape or contour of your breasts.
- Now, clasp your hands behind your head and press your hands forward. Again, turn from side to side to inspect your breasts' outer portions. Remember to inspect the border underneath your breasts. You may need to lift your breasts with your hand to see this area.
- Check your nipples for discharge (fluid). Place your thumb and forefinger on the tissue surrounding the nipple and pull outward toward the end of the nipple. Look for any discharge. Repeat on your other breast.
or In the shower - Now, it's time to feel for changes in the breast. It is helpful to have your hands slippery with soap and water. Check for any lumps or thickening in your underarm area. Place your left hand on your hip and reach with your right hand to feel in the left armpit. Repeat on the other side.
- Check both sides for lumps or thickenings above and below your collarbone.
- With hands soapy, support the breast with one hand while using the other hand to feel the tissue. Use the flat part of your fingers to press gently into the breast. Follow an up-and-down pattern along the breast, moving from bra line to collarbone. Continue the pattern until you have covered the entire breast. Repeat on the other side.
or Lying down (circle method) - Next, lie down and place a small pillow or folded towel under your right shoulder. Put your right hand behind your head. Place your left hand on the upper portion of your right breast with fingers together and flat. Body lotion may help to make this part of the exam easier.
- Think of your breast as a face on a clock. Start at 12 o'clock and move toward 1 o'clock in small circular motions. Continue around the entire circle until you reach 12 o'clock again. Keep your fingers flat and in constant contact with your breast. When the circle is complete, move in one inch toward the nipple and complete another circle around the clock. Continue in this pattern until you've felt the entire breast. Make sure to feel the upper outer areas that extend into your armpit.
- Place your fingers flat and directly on top of your nipple. Feel beneath the nipple for any changes. Gently press your nipple inward. It should move easily.
You can use any of the three techniques shown below to examine your breasts. Use the same method each time.
Repeat steps 9, 10 and 11 on your other breast. http://www.medicinenet.com/breast_self_exam/article.htm
It's important for women to remember that BSE is not the only test for early detection of breast cancer. Mammography and clinical breast examination by a health professional are more sensitive than BSE for finding small cancers. That is why the ACS(American Cancer Society) recommends a combination of mammography, clinical breast exam (CBE), and breast self-exam as outlined below: - Women 40 and older should have an annual mammogram, annual CBE by a health professional, and should perform monthly BSE. The CBE should be done close to the scheduled mammogram.
- Women 20 to 39 should have a CBE every three years and should perform monthly BSE.
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