Breast Self-Exam: It's Free, Simple and a Lifesaver

Women are usually the first ones to detect problems with their breasts. So it should be a no-brainer to fit in a once-a-month, breast self-exam into your overall wellness strategy.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. There's no time like the present to start examining your breasts regularly and continuing to do so for the rest of your life.

It's also just a smart thing to do for your health. Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer death among minority women. African American women are more likely to die from breast cancer, according to the Intercultural Cancer Center, an organization working to eliminate the unequal burden of cancer among racial and ethnic minorities. Hispanic/Latina women are two to three times more likely to be diagnosed at later stages in this disease compared to White women, too. Why? Many women don't know the warning signs of breast cancer and they don't know the importance of regular breast self-exams.

What can you do to help eliminate these health disparities? First, you must establish a health routine, doing monthly, breast self-exams, getting annual preventive checkups and scheduling a mammogram when you turn 40 (or sooner if you have a family history of the disease).

Here are a few tips to help you get started and stick to a health-wise, breast self-exam routine:

• Try doing the self-exam right after each menstrual cycle.
   
• Pre-menopausal women should pick a time two or three days after their period ends so their breasts are least likely to be tender, swollen or lumpy.
   
• Post-menopausal women can choose a date that's easy to remember.
   
• If you forget, don't wait until the following month to perform the exam. Do it while you're thinking about it. There is no wrong time to perform the exam. As you get to know your breasts, you'll learn what feels normal to you.
   
• If you detect an irregular lump, nipple discharge or any significant change in the shape or appearance of your breasts, see your doctor right away. And, don't forget that monthly self-exams should be accompanied by annual breast exams performed by a nurse or doctor starting at age 18 and an annual mammogram screening should be performed starting at age 40.

Try checking your breasts in the shower, in front of a mirror or lying down. The technique is this simple:

With your fingers flat, move them over your breast (including your armpit) in a circular motion. Use your left hand for your right breast and your right hand for your left breast. Look to see if the shape or contour of your breasts has changed. Is there any swelling, dimpling of the skin, or changes in the skin or nipple? Don’t expect your left and right breasts to be identical; that is rarely the case. Check your breast and your armpit from your collarbone to below your breast. Lastly, gently squeeze each nipple to check for a discharge.

Now, don't forget to practice your breast self-exam technique monthly.