Most breast cancers are first discovered by women themselves. Since breast cancers found early and treated promptly have excellent chances for cure, learning how to examine your breasts properly may save your life.

Breast self-exam should be done every month. The best time to do breast self-exam is just after your period. This is when breasts are least likely to be swollen. Try to perform your self-exam on the same day each month.

If a lump is found . . .

If during your breast self-exam you discover a lump, discharge or any other abnormality, it is important for you to see a doctor. Any lump discovered at any time should not be disregarded and should be evaluated as soon as possible, even if you have just had a physical breast exam or mammogram. Do not be frightened. About 80 percent of all breast lumps are not cancerous. However, only a doctor can make the diagnosis.

How To Examine Your Breast
Click on pictures below for larger version

Visual Inspection
The first examinations should be done in front of a mirror.

1. Stand with your arms relaxed at side and visually inspect your breast. Compare one to the other for sameness of size, shape, and color. Of course, it is normal to have one breast larger than the other. Look for swelling, dimplings, bulges, skin irritations, sores, or changes in moles.

2. Tighten chest and arm muscles by placing hands on hips and pressing in at the waist. Check for any changes as described in Step 1.

3. Raise both arms to tighten the skin over breast and expose as much of the surface under the breasts as possible. Again, look for any changes as described in Step 1.

4. Lean forward resting hands on knees or thighs. Observe the contour of your breast, and look for any irregularities. Abnormal bulges and indentations are most pronounced in this position.

5. Gently squeeze the nipple between thumb and index finger to detect and discharge or change in the consistency of the nipple.

Most women prefer to do the next examination in the shower. Wet, soapy hands slide gently over the skin making it easier to feel lumps.

6. Place one hand overhead and examine each breast with the opposite hand. Palpatate breast in small circles from the outside toward the nipple in a clockwise direction. Use the flag pads of fingers, not the finger tips. Feel for knots, lumps, thickenings, indentation, or swelling. Be sure to include area under arm.

Imagine a clockface on the breast. The 12 to 3 o'clock section on the left breast (9 to 12 o'clock on the right) is the surface area where more lumps occur. In fact, more than 50% are found in this area.

Lying Down

7. Lying in bed, place pillow under shoulder to elevate and flatten breast being examined. Examine each breast using the opposite hand in the same way as done in the shower. Repeat the palpatation of each breast first arm under head and again with arm at side.

Most insurance companies require at least "1" year and "1" day between appointments for screening or routine mammograms. You may schedule your own mammogram. Screening mammograms are scheduled 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Diagnostic mammograms are scheduled in the afternoon between 1:00 pm and 4:30 pm. For screening mammograms, patients will be called with their report later that day. Diagnostic mammogram results are discussed with the patient at the time of the appointment. Most exams are completed in 30 minutes or less.

To schedule your appointment, call Fort Sanders West Diagnostic Center at 865-531-5400.