This document provides information on breast self-examination (BSE). It recommends that women over 20 perform monthly BSE, a few days after their period if applicable. The method involves inspection of each breast while standing and lying down, using different hand positions to feel for lumps or abnormalities. Palpation techniques like circular, linear and wedge motions are used. Mammography is also discussed as a screening and diagnostic tool to detect breast cancer early through characteristic masses or microcalcifications.

1. BREAST SELF
EXAMINATION
Mrs. U SREEVIDYA,
Msc. NURSING,
Associate Professor,
Apollo college of nursing,
CHITTOOR

2. DEFINITION
• Breast self-examination (BSE) is a
screening method used in an attempt to
detect early breast cancer.
• The method involves the woman herself
looking at and feeling each breast for
possible lumps, distortions or swelling.

3. WHEN?
• Women older than 20 years should perform
monthly breast self-examinations (BSE).
• If still have menstrual periods, ……… should
perform the examination a few days after period
has ended. During this time, breasts are not
tender.
• If not menstruating (such as in menopause), BSE
should be performed on the same day each month.

4. METHOD

5. • This pictorial example of breast self-
examination in six steps. . .
• Steps 1-3 involve inspection of the breast with the
arms hanging next to the body, behind the head
and in the side.
• Step 4 is palpation of the breast.
• Step 5 is palpation of the nipple.
• Step 6 is palpation of the breast while lying down.

6. TYPES OF PALPATION
• Circular movements
• Linear method
• Wedge method

9. HOW?
1. Facing a mirror……..
• Stand before a mirror and compare both
breasts for differences in size, nipple
inversion (turning in), bulging, or
dimpling. Note any skin or nipple changes,
such as a hard knot or nipple discharge.

10. STEPS OF INSPECTION
FOUR STEPS……
With your arms at your sides
With your arms over head
With your hands on hips and press firmly to flex chest
muscles
Bent forward to inspect the breasts
In these positions, pectoral muscles are contracted,
and a subtle dimpling of the skin may appear, if a
growing tumor has affected a ligament.

11. 2. Lying down…………………
RIGHT BREAST
• Place a pillow under right shoulder
• Put right hand under head
• Check the entire breast area with the finger pads of
left hand
• Use small circles and follow an up-and-down
pattern
• Use light, medium and firm pressure over each area
of the breast
• Feel the breast with the surfaces of the second, third
and fourth fingers, moving systematically and using
small, circular motions from the nipple to the outer
margins
• Gently squeeze the nipple for any discharge.

12. LEFT BREAST
• Repeat the same steps on left breast using
right hand.

13. 3. In the shower……….
• A BSE can easily be performed while the woman is
in the bath or shower. Some women discover breast
masses when their skin is moist.
STEPS:
1. Raise the right arm
2. With soapy hands and fingers flat, check
the right breast
3. Use the same small circles and up-and-
down pattern to exam the breast
4. Repeat on the left breast.

15. MAMMOGRAPHY

16. • Mammography is the process of using low-dose
amplitude-X-rays to examine the human breast
and is used as a diagnostic and a screening tool.
Goal. .
Early detection of breast cancer, typically
through detection of characteristic masses and/or
micro calcifications.
Mammography is believed to reduce mortality from
breast cancer.
MAMMOGRAPHY

17. Normal (left) versus
cancerous (right)
mammography image

18. THANK YOU