When was the last time you performed a breast self-exam? When I asked a number of women recently, the typical response was “not very often, but I know I should do it monthly.” Screening for breast cancer can be a scary topic, but with regular self examinations it doesn’t have to be.
My close friend has been battling breast cancer over the past several months. She will be the first to say how very important it is to perform self-exams and to get to know your own body. If performed regularly, you will understand and know how your tissue normally feels. This knowledge will help you identify if something is different. If you notice a change in the feel of your tissue, contact your physician and determine whether further testing is warranted.
To perform a thorough self-exam, follow these steps:
Of course, all women, aged 40 and older, should supplement their breast self-exams by scheduling an annual mammogram through their physician
What a simple thing for a woman to do once a month! It takes just a few minutes to perform a breast self-exam and it may make all the difference for you and your loved ones!