Breast Self - Exam how - To - Part 2 of 2 - Healthination

So, how do you do a breast-self exam? You'll look at the *** in several positions and feel for any lumps or abnormalities. I'll show you each step now, and feel free to pause during this to take notes or even check yourself, you can even rewind this if you think you may have missed something. So, let's begin Look at your *** in the mirror. Start with your arms at your side. You are checking to make sure that your *** are their usual size, shape, texture and color. Look to see if both *** are evenly shaped without any visible distortion or swelling. Of course, most womens *** arent perfectly symmetrical, one might be bigger than the other. Just get to know YOUR *** so you can spot any changes. If you see any of THESE abnormalities, contact your doctor immediately: Dimpling, puckering or bulging of the skin on or around the breast... Change in the *** or its position has the *** inverted, or turned inward instead of sticking out? Redness, soreness, rash or swelling on or around the breast. These may not signal breast cancer, but each should be checked out by your doctor. Next, Raise your arms over your head and repeat that same visual examination of both ***. And now go through the same process with your hands on your hips, pressing gently to flex your chest muscles. This helps to see dimpling if its present. And lastly, While still looking in the mirror, gently squeeze each *** between your thumb and forefinger. Unless you are breastfeeding, there should be no discharge. If there is any discharge, including a milky or yellow fluid, or blood, let your doctor know immediately. Now, find a good firm spot to lie down and get comfortable. Raise the arm over your head on the side of the breast you are examining. Let's start with the right breast. Raise your right hand over your head. Use your left hand to examine your right breast. With the pads of the three middle fingers, use a firm, smooth touch to make small dime-sized circular motions up and down the breast tissue. The goal here is to cover every part of the breast. You are looking for any lumps, bumps or thickened skin that is new, has changed or doesn't feel like rest of the breast tissue. Again, there are a few ways to do this, but this way has been found to be very effective. Start at the underarm. In that circular motion, move your fingers up and down vertically, straight down to the level of the braline. Move across the chest in this up and down movement from the bra line to the collar bone until you reach the middle of your chestbone or sternum. As you are doing this, be sure to use three different levels of pressure. This is important. Light pressure allows you to feel the tissue closest to the skin; medium pressure to feel a little deeper; and firm pressure to feel the tissue closest to the chest and ribs. Repeat this process on the left breast by placing your left arm over your head, and examining the breast with your right hand. Finally, feel your *** while you are standing or sitting, repeating all of the movements we just discussed. Many women find that this is easiest when they are showering because the skin is slippery. Remember to examine both ***. And this is also a good time to check your underarms. With your arm at your side, use the other hand to feel the underarm area for any lumps or thickening. If you do feel something that seems unusual, don't panic. It doesn't necessarily mean you have cancer. But it is important you talk to your doctor to find out.