A breast self-exam is a method for women to examine their breasts at home monthly to check for any abnormalities. It involves visually inspecting the breasts and feeling the breast tissue using different finger pressures in systematic patterns. The goal is to become familiar with how the breasts normally look and feel so any changes can be detected early and reported to a healthcare provider. Key steps include inspection while standing in different positions and using light, medium, and deep pressures during palpation while lying down.

1. BREAST SELF EXAMINATION
PREPARED BY:dmArgelRN

2. WHAT IS A BREAST SELF EXAM?
 A breast self-exam is a step-by-step method women can use to examine
their breasts. By looking at and feeling your breasts regularly, you can
notice anything that seems abnormal. To help increase your breast
awareness, you use your eyes and hands to determine if there are any
changes to the look and feel of your breasts.
 Women should do a breast self-exam once a month, every month.Women
who are still menstruating (having a regular period) should perform a
breast self-exam after their period. Women who have stopped
menstruating and those who have very irregular periods can pick a day
each month. Choose a day that is consistent and easy to remember.

3. OBJECTIVE & PURPOSE OF BREAST
ASSESSMENT
The goal of the breast examination is to determine
if the breasts are normal or abnormal. If abnormal,
any or all of the following may be indicated:
surgical consultation, reexamination at a different
time of the menstrual cycle, mammograms, and
possibly ultrasound
The purpose of a breast self-exam is to check-up a
woman does at home to look for changes or
problems in the breast tissue

4. 5 IMPORTANT STEPS OF SELF BREAST
EXAMINATION
1. Breast self-exam
2. Use the pads of your fingers. Use the pads, not the
very tips, of your three middle fingers for the exam.
3. Use different pressure levels.Your goal is to feel
different depths of the breast by using different levels
of pressure to feel all the breast tissue.
4. Take your time. Don't rush.
5. Follow a pattern

5. A breast self-exam takes only a few minutes.You can do a
breast exam when you’re:
Dressing for the day or undressing at night.
Lying in bed in the morning or at bedtime.
Taking a shower.
Look for changes in skin texture, such as dimpling, puckering,
indentations, or skin that looks like an orange peel. Also note
the shape and outline of each breast. Check to see if the nipple
turns inward

6. WHEN AND WHERETO START
BREAST SELF EXAMINATION
Monthly breast self-exam, starting at age 20, instructed
to woman as an optional tool for identifying and
reporting breast changes
Clinical breast exam at least every 3 years (age 20–40)
 During a physical exam by a health professional; yearly
after age 40
Annual mammogram starting at age 40

7. INSTRUCTIONS FOR BREAST SELF EXAM
(BSE)
Step 1: Inspection
1.Visually inspect the breasts, looking for
dimpling, lumps, skin irregularities, symmetry
2.Visually inspect in several positions; may
accentuate an abnormality

8. INSTRUCTIONS FOR BREAST SELF EXAM
(BSE)
◆ Hands at the side

9. INSTRUCTIONS FOR BREAST SELF EXAM
(BSE)
◆ Hands above the head

10. INSTRUCTIONS FOR BREAST SELF EXAM
(BSE)
◆ Hands pressed onto hips

11. INSTRUCTIONS FOR BREAST SELF EXAM
(BSE)
◆ Leaning over

12. INSTRUCTIONS FOR BREAST SELF EXAM
(BSE)
Step 2: Palpation
1. Feel the breast tissue and lymph node chain
for lumps or thickening by using three finger
pads while exerting light, medium, and deep
pressure in a systematic fashion

13. INSTRUCTIONS FOR BREAST SELF EXAM
(BSE)
2. Begin by lying down on a flat surface with arm raised and a
folded towel under the back of the breast being examined
3. After examining breast tissue, bring arm toward body and
feel the axilla and the skin above as well as below the collar
bone
4. Repeat technique on the other side
5. Report lumps, thickening, nipple discharge or any suspicious
findings to health-care provider
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