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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and research shows that women should be going for check-ups on the regular as early as their 20s (by regular, we mean monthly.
Practising breast self-examinations persistently is vital in detecting any malignant lumps early on, and while we are aware that it needs to be done, we feel ashamed in saying that we don’t particularly know how to conduct a self-examination. So we did some research, and according to Breast Cancer.org here are the five steps to check your breasts:
- Stand in front of a mirror with your shoulders straight, hands on hips and check that your breasts are their usual size, shape and colour.
- Raise your arms while looking out for the same changes, but keeping a careful eye out for sudden nipple discharge (this could be watery, milky, yellow fluid or perhaps even blood).
- Lie down flat on your back and feel your breasts. Use your right hand to feel and examine your left breast and your left hand to feel and examine your right breast. Cover your entire breast from your collarbone to the armpit of your cleavage by using a firm, smooth touch and moving in a tight, circular motion (the size of a coin).
- Apply a more firm pressure on your breast as you reach the deep tissue in the back; once you have reached the deep tissue, you should be able to feel your ribcage. While most women seem to prefer a vertical approach, you can start at the nipple.
- Stand up again and feel your breasts again.
Many women find it easier to feel their breasts when their skin is wet, so doing this while in the shower may prove to be more helpful.