Breast Self-Exam – Boobs Matter Too

Boobs matter too – Do you know how to do a breast self-exam?

Breasts can be large. Small. Dense. Asymmetrical. Scarred from surgery or implants.

Nipples can be light in color. Dark in color. Inverted.

Breasts can feel soft. Tender. Engorged. Firm.

We live in a culture based on comparison but when it comes to your boobs- its important for you to know yours. Let’s talk about how to be your own expert on your breasts.

What is the purpose of a breast self-exam?

Breast exams are a way for you to know what your baseline is – how your breasts look and feel on a daily basis as well as a way of detecting new changes. By performing self-examination at home you can detect the following:

1. New lumps or bumps that were previously not there
2. Change in the look or feel of the skin of the breast including rashes of the breast
3. Nipple discharge from one or both breasts
4. Change in nipple position
5. Pain or tenderness in the breasts that does not go away

If you detect any of the above changes in your breast, please report these to your OBGYN immediately.

What types of breast changes are normal?

Breasts can become more tender in the latter part of your menstrual cycle (think closer to your period). Breasts can enlarge cyclically due to hormones estrogen and progesterone that change throughout the month. Breast size can change when you gain or lose weight overall. Breasts generally enlarge with pregnancy and become engorged with breastmilk around this time. Women can experience nipple discharge from breastmilk engorgement during pregnancy and also postpartum. Nipple discharge is expected in the pregnancy state. If you are not pregnant and having nipple discharge this may be a cause for concern. If you are uncertain if a breast change is normal, please see your OBGYN.

Do I have to do a breast exam at home? How often should I do this? Can this be done at the doctor’s office?

I recommend that all women do a breast exam at home – if you do it once a year in the shower you are doing better than most of the population. It doesn’t hurt to exam your breasts monthly. Think of it this way – add it to your shower or bath routine. It takes less than 5 minutes (which is less than the time it takes for most women to wash their hair). You should be seeing and OBGYN yearly for your annual exam (even if you see your primary care doctor yearly, you should still see your OBGYN yearly). During your yearly exam with your OBGYN, a breast exam will be done.

How do you do a breast exam at home?

I can show you better than I can tell you. I teach my patients how to do self-breast exams during their yearly visit with me. If you are uncertain if you are “doing it correctly”, simply ask your OBGYN. There are also great videos out there that demonstrate – check out this link. It is important to use your fingers to feel each breast in its entirety (think 4 quadrants with nipple being at the center). Don’t forget to feel from the breast all the way to the armpit (as breast extends all the way up there!) as well as to the clavicle. Don’t forget to press each nipple – if you detect discharge and you are not pregnant, talk to an OBGYN about this.

If I detect a change in my breasts that I’m concerned about, what will my OBGYN do?

Your OBGYN will do a breast exam in the office. You may also require blood work and/or imaging studies depending on the change. Imaging studies include breast ultrasounds and mammograms. Sometimes if a lump is detected you may be referred for a breast biopsy.

Are breast self-exams really that important?

Yes! Did you know that one third of breast cancers are detected by women at home feeling their breasts? This is a powerful statistic! One third! You have the power to decrease your risk of breast cancer. If you detect something abnormal, don’t panic – there are many changes in the breast that are abnormal but not cancer. Do your self-breast exams at home. You know your body best! If you detect something abnormal, don’t delay, see your OBGYN right away.