Perform regular breast health self-examination to diagnose breast cancer early

Breast tissue is located on the surface of the body, and it is easy to detect abnormal changes through self-examination. Regular breast self-examination can increase the early diagnosis rate of breast cancer.

Generally, breast self-examination should be done once a month. For women with regular menstruation, the best time to do the examination is 7 to 10 days after menstruation. For women who have stopped menstruating, they can choose to do the examination at a fixed time every month. Breast self-examination can generally be done when getting up, going to bed, changing clothes, or taking a bath.

Self-reflection in the mirror

Face the mirror, put your hands on your hips, and observe the shape of your breasts. Then, raise your arms above your head and carefully observe whether the shape and outline of the breasts on both sides have changed, whether the breast skin has redness, swelling, rashes, superficial vein engorgement, skin wrinkles, orange peel-like changes and other abnormalities, observe whether the nipples are on the same level, whether they are raised, retracted, or sunken, whether there is secretion from the nipples, and whether the color of the areola has changed. Finally, put your arms down, put your hands on your hips, and push your elbows back to tighten your chest muscles, and observe whether the breasts on both sides are equal and symmetrical.

Supine touch method

Lie flat on your back with your arms raised above your head and a small pillow placed under your shoulders to flatten the breast. Use the palm of your opposite finger to check for lumps or other changes in any part of the breast.

Use the pads of three fingers (index finger, middle finger, ring finger) to touch the breast slowly, steadily, and carefully. For the left breast, move forward or backward gradually to check, starting from the periphery of the breast and moving at least three circles to the nipple. You can also check in an up-down or radial direction, but be careful not to miss any part. At the same time, check whether the axillary lymph nodes are enlarged.

Finally, gently squeeze the nipple between your thumb and index finger to observe whether there is nipple discharge. If you find turbid, slightly yellow or bloody discharge, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Shower test

When you shower, your skin is moist, which makes it easier to spot breast problems. Use the tip of one finger to slowly slide across the palm of your hand, carefully checking for lumps in all areas of the breast and armpits.