Symptoms
Breast cancers in their early stages are usually painless. Often the first symptom is the discovery of a hard lump. Fifty percent of such masses are found in the upper outer quarter of the breast. The lump may make the affected breast appear elevated or asymmetric. The nipple may be retracted or scaly. Sometimes the skin of the breast is dimpled like the skin of an orange. In some cases there is a bloody or clear discharge from the nipple. Many cancers, however, produce no symptoms and cannot be felt on examination. They can be detected only with a mammogram.
Monthly breast self-exams should always include: visual inspection (with and without a mirror) to note any changes in contour or texture, and manual inspection in standing and reclining positions to note any unusual lumps or thicknesses.
Diagnosis
Breast Examination by a Health Professional. Early detection of breast cancer significantly reduces the risk of death. Women between the ages of 20 and 49 should have a physical examination by a health professional every 1 -2 years. Those over age 50 should be examined annually. A breast exam by a health professional can find 10 - 25% of breast cancers that are missed by mammograms. Between 6 - 46% of the lumps detected by examination are malignant. (The yield is lowest in younger women and highest in older women.)
Self-Examinations. Woman have been encouraged to perform a self-examination each month, but well-conducted studies in 2002 reported no difference in mortality rates between women who were intensively instructed in self-examination and those who were not. This does not mean women should stop attempting self-examinations, but they should not replace the annual examination done by a health professional, which evidence suggests is beneficial.
Monthly Self-Examination
1. Pick a time of the month that is easy to remember and perform self-examination at that time each month.
The breast has normal patterns of thickness and lumpiness that change within a monthly period, and a consistently scheduled examination will help differentiate between what is normal from abnormal.
2. Stand in front of a mirror. Breasts should be basically the same size (one may be slightly larger than the other).
Check for changes or redness in the nipple area. Look for changes in the appearance of the skin. With hands on the hips, push the pelvis forward and pull the shoulders back and observe the breasts for irregularities. Repeat the observation with hands behind the head. Move each arm and shoulder forward.
3. Lie down on the back with a rolled towel under one shoulder. Apply lotion or bath oil over the breast area.
The finger action should be as follows : Using the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th finger pads (not tips) held together, make dime-sized circles. Press lightly first to feel the breast area, then press harder using a circular motion.
Using this motion, start from the collarbone and move downward to underneath the breast. Shift the fingers slightly over, slightly overlapping the previously checked region, and work upward back to the collarbone. Repeat this up-and-down examination until the entire breast area has been examined. Be sure to cover the entire area from the collarbone to the bottom of the breast area and from the middle of the chest to the armpits. Move the towel under the other shoulder and repeat the procedure.
Examine the nipple area, by gently lifting and squeezing it and checking for discharge.
4. Repeat step 3 in an upright position. (The shower is the best place for this, using plenty of soap.)
Note : A lump can be any size or shape and can move around or remain fixed. Of special concern are specific or unusual lumps that appear to be different from the normal varying thicknesses in the breast.
The above information thankfully comes from the healthcentral.comat the following link.
