commit: breast self-examination - healthywomen · 2013-11-19 · breast self-examination (bse),...

Touch. Use the padsof your three middlefingers. Begin in yourarmpit, using smallcircular motions withvarying degrees ofpressure, to examineyour entire breast area.

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commit: Breast Self-Examination

BSE Grid. Move yourfingers up and downover your entire breastarea, from the collar-bone to below thebreast and side-to-side,from your breast boneto your arm pit.

1. Stand in front of a mirror. Examine your breasts with hands at sides, thenclasped overhead. Look for changes in size or shape, or nipple changes. Squeeze bothnipples between thumb and forefinger to check for discharge. Then press hands on hipsand push elbows forward to tighten chest muscles. Look for dimpling, puckering, redness,scaliness or changes in shape, size, texture or skin color.

2. In theshower. BSEis easier whenyour skin is wetand soapy. Inthe shower, raiseyour right arm

above your head. Think about theBSE grid as you cover your entirebreast area, using the “touch tech-nique” described above. Repeat forleft side.

3. Lying down.Lying down helpsto flatten the breast,making it easier toexamine the breasttissue by pressing itfirmly against the chest wall. Place a pillowunder right shoulder. Begin at the armpit andmake a series of three small circles. Use light,medium and deep pressure. Think about the BSEgrid pattern and begin again. Cover your entirebreast area. Repeat for left side.

Visit www.healthywomen.org for more information

Breast self-examination(BSE), performed at thesame time each month, takeslittle time, costs nothing andcan help you be aware ofhow your breasts normallylook and feel.

Contact your health careprofessional if you discoverany changes. Breast self-exams are not a substitutefor regular breast exams bya health care professional orfor screening mammograms.

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