Breast Self Exams

A national TV personality, Robin Roberts, recently was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery. Well-known Malaysian actress, Azean Irdawaty was also diagnosed with stage three breast cancer and currently undergoing treatment. Laura Ingraham, a radio talk show host, was also diagnosed with breast cancer but has been cancer free for two years after successful medical treatment.

These news highlight the importance of breast self exams because early detection of lumps in the breasts, and immediate medical treatment can save a woman's life.

(HealthDay News) -- Women should examine their breasts regularly to detect lumps or abnormalities that could signal breast cancer. An exam should be done once a month, several days after the last day of a woman's period.

Here are the five basic steps to a breast self-exam, courtesy of Breastcancer.org:

• Standing with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips, face a mirror. Look for any differences in size, shape, color, swelling or bulging of the skin, changes in the nipple, or any signs of redness or rash.
• Raise your arms, and examine your breasts for any of those differences.
• Gently squeeze each nipple to check for any discharge.
• Lie down, and feel each breast with the hand of the opposite arm. Feel all the tissue, applying pressure to check deep tissue for any lumps or abnormalities.
• Examine the breasts while you are standing or sitting, gently examining the entire breast. You may want to try this method in the shower, while the skin is slippery.