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In 2020, more than 20 lakh women were diagnosed with breast cancer, of which 6.85 lakh succumbed to the disease. By the end of the year, only 70.8 lakh women, who were diagnosed with breast cancer in the past five years, were alive, making it the world’s most prevalent cancer, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). While rare, men too can develop breast cancer, accounting for 1% of the incidences.
Breast cancer has become a global health concern and experts continue to urge regular screening and timely treatment. Amid the myriad of tests and screening methods available to us, it is important to know that something as easy as a breast self-examination is an effective tool to detect early breast cancer. But it is also crucial that you know how to conduct it.
Speaking with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Rohan Khandelwal, Lead Consultant-The Breast Centre, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, provides a step-by-step guide and also discusses how often you should do it.
Also Read: Breast Size Doesn’t Increase Breast Cancer Risk: Here’s What Does As Per A Breast Cancer Expert
The Importance Of Breast Self-Exam: What Does It Mean
A breast self-exam is a method used by people to examine their breasts and check for any irregularities or lumps in them. It is one of the most useful ways to detect early breast cancer as it helps identify warning signs and symptoms of breast cancer like changes in the breast or nipple size, a breast lump, pain in the breast or armpit, lump under the armpit, bleeding, redness, or discharge from the nipple, nipple rash, dimpling of the breast skin and changes in the position of the nipple.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), breast cancer that is detected early, and is in the localised stage, has a 5-year relative survival rate of 99%.
Approximately 50% of cases of breast cancer in women 50 years and older and 71% of cases of breast cancer in women younger than 50 years are detected by women themselves, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
Research suggests that breast self-exam has an overall sensitivity of 26%, which decreases with age from 41% for women aged 35-39 to 21% for women aged 60-74 years.
But while not all lumps or breast changes indicate breast cancer, other breast abnormalities can also be detected with the help of a breast self-exam.
How Often Should You Conduct A Breast Self-Exam
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Dr Khandelwal recommends breast self examination at least once a month.
“For those women, whose periods have stopped, we recommend conducting the exam anytime of the month, whereas menstruating women should perform the breast self-examination 4-5 days after the periods are over,” he said. This is because the breasts are the least tender and lumpy during this phase.
If there is anything unusual or different from the last time you conducted a breast self-exam, consult a doctor immediately.
Also Read: Rare, But Men Can Also Develop Breast Cancer: Expert Shares Who Is At Risk And Warning Signs
How To Perform A Breast Self-Exam
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According to Dr Khandewal, the best time to conduct a breast self-exam is in the shower. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Place one hand behind your head, put soap on the other so that it is easier to feel the breasts accurately.
Step 2: Feel the entire breast area in a circular motion and check for a lump.
Step 3: Note - Never pinch the breast upward as you will always feel a lump in this position, which might constantly add to your worries.
Conclusion
Conducting regular breast self-examinations is a cost and time-effective method to detect any form of breast irregularities. Regardless of whether you have a malignancy or just a benign lump, breast self-exam can help detect it early, facilitating early intervention and timely treatment. Ensure that you’re doing it right or speak to a specialist to get clearer instructions.