Being that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and that there are a whole lot of breasts in this office (and in the world), we collaborated with Dr Kira, a medical officer in the department of Otorhinolaryngology to run through a basic how-to guide on how to properly examine your breasts.
When to do it?
- One week after the end of your menstrual cycle, when your breast are not tender or swollen
How often should I do it?
- Once a month
How to do it?
- Standing in front of a mirror
Look for any nipple discharge, symmetry, skin changes (redness/ulcers/dimpling) in all 4 of these positions:
- With arms at the sides.
- With arms above head.
- With hands on hips while bending forward.
- With hands on hips while firmly squeezing your hips
2. Lying down in 45 degrees and use a few pillows.
- Raise left arm above your head.
- Use the middle three fingers of your right hand.
- Imagine your breasts like the clock face.
- Making the nipple as the centre of the breast, start from 12 o'clock and move in clockwise motion.
- Ensure to cover all parts of the breast including axillary tail.
- Press your fingers flat onto your left breast in circular motion & feel for firm lumps or nodules, swelling, dimpling and thickening.
- Repeat the same steps for your right breast, using the middle three fingers of your left hand.
You can start familiarising yourself with your breast, so that it will be easier to notice any differences. Now you know the steps, be sure to do a monthly self-examination!
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