How to Detect a Lump in Your Breast That Could Be Cancer

About 25% of all Americans (and not all of them are women) diagnosed with breast cancer will die of it.

But with early detection, nearly 95% of all cases of breast cancer can be cured. The best early detection method of breast cancer is one that does not cost anything - a monthly breast self-exam.

The best way to remember to do your exam monthly is to do it about three or so days after your period ends. If you do not have regular cycles or are post-menopausal - pick a date on the calendar and write it down each and every month (the first day of the month is a good choice).

There are two types of exam you can do on your breasts. The first is visual and the second is tactile (or by touch).

Visual Exam

Stand in front of a mirror with your hands laced together behind your head. Look for any changes in size, any signs of puckering, scaly skin, rash, nipple discharge, or reddened spots.

It is important to know what is normal for you. Breasts may be uneven in size normally for you. But if they are normally even in size and now they are not, this is a change that you should make note of (and an appointment with your health care provider).

Still standing in front of the mirror, change positions to your hands at your sides. Inspect your breasts again.

And lastly, change to the final position (for in front of the mirror) - bend forward at the waist with your hands on your hips. Look again in the mirror for anything unusual. Then let your hands hang loosely at your sides. Look again the mirror.

Tactile Exam

It is important to not be shy about this part and to know what is normal for you. The object of this exam is to find any changes. That is why it is so important to perform this step every month.

This step can be done either lying down or standing in the shower (with soap and water on your breasts).

In the tactile exam you are feeling for any lumps, tenderness, or thickening. If you find any of these, you should make an appointment with your health care provider. Most lumps are not cancer and you should not be afraid. You never be afraid of bringing any concerns to your doctor.

There are four areas that you need to palpate. They are the:

1. Breast itself 2. The underarm area 3. The area between the underarm and breast 4. The area above the breast to the collarbone

There are three different patterns for palpation:

1. Spiral 2. Pie - shaped 3. Up and down

Spiral is a series of concentric circles. You begin in the area around the nipple and gradually move outward in small circles gradually becoming larger circles.

Pie - shaped is to divide your breast into pie shapes beginning at the nipple. Examining each wedge then moving to the next.

Up and down is using a zigzag pattern going up and then down the next section.

Conclusion

This may the most important exam of your life. And in today's current economic climate, it is nice to know that it is FREE. So do not neglect this monthly breast self-exam.