Breast cancer remains one of the most widespread diseases among females. People are usually afraid of this disease, but fortunately, the earlier it is discovered, the better the survival rates are. One of the best, and indeed simplest ways, that aids in the detection of breast cancer at an early stage is self-examination. This is a technique that enables women to inspect their breasts for any changes that might indicate cancer. Women, through frequent practice of BSE, will be more aware of their body and identify problems before they get worse.
We now proceed to the steps of conducting a Breast Self-Examination, the importance, and where being helped by a Cancer specialist in India, such as Dr. Vikesh Shah, sets you right with your breast health.
Why Do We Need Breast Self-Examination?
Late in stages, breast cancer is often diagnosed when manifestations begin, but proper BSE can catch this early. The earlier the cancer is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat. Through Breast Self-Examination, women become aware of what their breasts usually look and feel like so that if there is any change, they can easily detect it. Early detection does a lot in saving lives, and BSE is the easiest way for people to know how their breasts look.
It is also very much in demand in the context of breast self-exam in India, as more are being found there. If abnormality is found through the process of Breast Self-Examination, visit a Cancer doctor in India such as Dr. Vikesh Shah, who can further guide and support you for the treatment options available along with much more. The earlier the disease is detected, the more lives can be saved.
It develops mostly without the presence of symptoms in the initial stages and that is why self-examination is so vital. If breast cancer is found early, it is much more treatable and survival possibilities are much higher. As an example, research proves that the survival rate could go up to 90% if breast cancer is found early. This is why, doing a Breast Self-Examination should be among the top things every woman should know about to do for her health.
How to Perform a Breast Self-Examination: A Step-by-Step Guide
A Breast Self-Examination is easy and requires no special training. It can be performed at home. What is required is being consistent and detailed with every performance of the exam.
- Time to Take for Your Exam
Perform the Breast Self-Examination on a specific day each month. The ideal day for the exam is between 7 to 10 days from the end of your menstrual cycle. This is the time when your breasts will be least swollen and not tender. At this point, it becomes easier to notice changes.
Pick a day of the month and do it each month if you stop getting periods. The ritual will enable you to keep track of your steps easily because you will always remember to remind your breasts.
- Inspect Your Breasts in Front of the Mirror
How to Conduct a Breast Self-Examination : Stand in front of the mirror and examine your breasts with your eyes. Observe the following changes:
- Lumps or swelling in breast tissue that have not appeared before
- The size and shape of your breasts changing
- Changes in the texture of the skin, causing dimpling, puckering, or redness
- Change of the nipples. These changes may include; inversion, discharge, and pain
- Your breasts don’t look even or look unevenly.
Extend your arms upwards above your head and pay attention to any alterations in the shape or size of your breasts. This might also present slight changes that cannot be seen when your arms are at your sides.
- Check Your Breasts When Lying Down
Lie down on the bed with a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm raised behind your head, so that the breast tissue is flattened against your chest to check for lumps or abnormalities.
Palpate with the pads of your fingers, not the tips. Begin at the outer edge of the right breast using small circular motions, working across to cover all areas of the breast and along the edges, mid-portion, and nipple-areolar area. The sensation to elicit will include light, medium, and firm pressure to palpate both surface and deeper tissue.
On the other hand, repeat the same on the left breast. Just ensure you are quite detailed and feel every spot on both breasts up to the armpit.
4. Check Your Breasts in the Mirror Standing
Stand before the mirror again and touch your breasts one more time, this time with arms at your sides. Sometimes, you can better check for changes by being upstanding.
Feel every area of the breast from the top outer portion and underneath the nipple. This way, you will ensure that you have covered every area of the breast tissue.
5. Checking the Nipple Region
The nipple region sometimes gives an early sign of a problem. Be aware of this area. Look for:
- Discharge, which may be unusual and clear, blood-tinged, or yellowish
- Nipple inversion, which is nipple retraction or turning inside
- Redness or erythema in the region of the nipple or in the areola (which is the pigmented zone surrounding the nipple)
- Hyper-sensitivity or pain, in the region of nipples
- Report Your Changes You Notice
A good thing is always keeping a record of the possible changes you feel in case you feel some at a time. Note down all the date and the date of occurrence of abnormalities and worries that come around. That will make your records able to track any change and assess patterns of change over times that a Cancer specialist at India can assess in yourself that may not appear present.
Do not worry and start panicking should you get to feel there is something unusual, though mostly those lumps could always just be nothing. It just always pays to have checked up with the expert anyhow.
Your doctor shall do a clinical breast examination and send you for additional investigations like a mammography, ultrasound, or biopsy to evaluate if the mass is cancerous or not. For successful treatment, early detection is crucial, so the moment you detect anything odd, don’t hesitate for any more seconds and run for help.
Role of Cancer Specialist in India
When you meet a Cancer specialist in India, such as Dr. Vikesh Shah, then you will get the benefits of their years of experience and expertise in the area of breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. These specialists provide the following benefits:
- Early detection: Cancer specialists diagnose breast cancer with the aid of advanced imaging tools such as mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRIs before it spreads.
- Personalized counseling: A professional would warn you of your risk factors and guide you on the best course to take in order not to develop or detect cancer.
- Latest mode of treatment: In case cancer is diagnosed, experts will assist you by guiding you through possible modes of treatment that might be surgery and radiation, chemotherapy, and new therapies such as immunotherapy.
With a Cancer specialist in India, you would take proactive care of your breast health and be proactive regarding any issues that may arise.
Conclusion
Breast Self-Examination is the easiest and most practical way for women to seek early signs of breast cancer. Through making BSE a habit, you will get to know your breast health much better and increase your opportunity to detect problems early when they are still more easily treatable.
But BSE alone is not something you should be relying on for your breast health. Regular check-ups by a Cancer doctor in India, such as Dr. Vikesh Shah will make sure you are using the best screening methods and getting proper advice. Don’t wait for anything unusual; get it checked right away. Early detection and treatment lead to better outcomes, and consultation with a Cancer specialist in India will provide expert care to help you maintain health.
Take control of your breast health today. Learn how to do regular self-exams and seek up-to-date information to this day while consulting your specialist appropriately.