Breast cancer has plagued many of our friends, family members and fellow Malaysians for decades now. The WHO organization says only 30% of all cancer patients survive with minimal treatment and this can be avoided with early identification. We have put together a comprehensive guide on how to self-examine at home and do the needful should you find any anomalies.

STEP 1:
 
•    Stand before a mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips
•    Look at your breasts to become familiar with their size, shape, and color
•    Note and tell your doctor if you see changes in your breasts, including:
o    Dimpling, puckering, or bulging skin
o    A nipple that is inverted or has changed position
o    Redness, a rash, or swelling
o    Soreness

STEP 2:
•    Raise your arms and look for changes in your breasts, including:
o    Dimpling, puckering, or bulging skin
o    A nipple that is inverted or has changed position
o    Redness, a rash, or swelling
o    Soreness

STEP 3:
•    Note whether and tell your doctor if you have watery, milky, yellowish, or bloody fluid from either or both nipples

STEP 4:
•    Lie down and use your right hand to feel your left breast; use your left hand to feel your right
•    Straighten and keep your first 3 fingers together Be sure your touch is firm, but smooth, with
o    Light pressure for the skin and tissue just beneath it
o    Medium pressure for tissue in the middle of the breast
o    Firm pressure for deep tissue at the back of the breast down to the ribcage
•    Use a circular motion about the size of a quarter to examine your entire breast
•    Be sure to feel the entire breast, from top to bottom and side to side
•    Use a pattern like that of mowing a lawn to ensure that you don’t miss any areas
•    Start at your collarbone and work to the top of your abdomen and from your armpit to your cleavage

STEP 5:
•    Stand or sit to examine your breasts (examining your breasts in the shower with wet hands and breasts can make it easier to feel abnormalities)
•    Straighten and keep your first 3 fingers together
•    Be sure your touch is firm, but smooth, with:
o    Light pressure for the skin and tissue just beneath it
o    Medium pressure for tissue in the middle of the breast
o    Firm pressure for deep tissue at the back of the breast down to the ribcage
o    Use a circular motion about the size of a quarter to examine your entire breast
o    Be sure to feel the entire breast, from top to bottom and side to side
o    Use a pattern like that of mowing a lawn to ensure that you don’t miss any areas
o    Start at your collarbone and work to the top of your abdomen and from your armpit to your cleavage

Stay tuned to RAAGA for more important updates!

Source: MaurerClinic, MayoClinic, SingaporeCancerSociety, MedicalNewsToday