Monthly Self-Breast Exams

Examining your breasts is an important way to find a breast cancer early, when it's most likely to be cured. Not every cancer can be found this way, but it is a critical step you can and should take for yourself. No woman wants to do a breast self-exam (or "BSE"), and for many the experience is frustrating—you may feel things but not know what they mean. However, the more you examine your breasts, the more you will learn about them and the easier it will become for you to tell if something unusual has occurred. BSE is an essential part of taking care of yourself and reducing your risk of breast cancer. 

Beginning in their 20s, women should be told about the benefits and limitations of BSE. Women should be aware of how their breasts normally look and feel and report any new breast change to a health professional as soon as they are found. Finding a breast change does not mean there is a cancer.  

It's best to check about a week after your period, when breasts are not swollen or tender. If you no longer have a period, examine yourself on the same day every month. If you see or feel a change in your breasts, schedule an appointment with your provider. But remember, most of the time breast changes are not cancer. 

Steps for BSE

1.         IN THE SHOWER

• Place one hand behind your head.
• Use the finger pads of your three middle fingers to move your hand over the entire breast area. 
• Use the right hand for the left breast and vice versa.
• Ask your provider for techniques or patterns to follow when doing a SBE.  Be sure to follow the same pattern each time.

2.         IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR

With your hands firmly pressing down on your hips, check for changes in the shape, size, or skin texture of your breasts.  Then raise your arms overhead and check again.  Check nipples for any unusual discharge. 

3.         LYING DOWN

• To examine your right breast, place a pillow under your right shoulder and your right hand behind your head.
• Follow the same technique as in the shower.  With the finger pads of your left hand, examine your right breast using either of the techniques or patterns your provider has shown you.  Check for lumps, knots, or thickenings.
• After examining your entire breast, lower your right arm slightly and use your left hand to feel your right underarm.  Then switch the pillow to your left shoulder, put your left arm behind your head, and repeat steps with right hand on left breast and underarm. 

Patients who don't come for a yearly pap smear still need to have a yearly breast exam by their provider.

MAMMOGRAMS 

Women who are 40 years and older should get a mammogram every 1 to 2 years.  Women who have had breast cancer or other breast problems or who have a family history of breast cancer, might need to get them more often.  Talk to your provider about when to start and how often you should have a mammogram.    

What is a mammogram?   

A mammogram is a safe test used to look for any problems with a woman's breasts. The test uses a special, low-dose x-ray machine to take pictures of both breasts. The results are recorded on x-ray film or directly onto a computer for a radiologist to examine.   

Mammograms allow the doctor to have a closer look for breast lumps and changes in breast tissue. They can show small lumps or growths that a doctor or woman may not be able to feel when doing a clinical breast exam. "Mammography" is the best screening tool that doctors have for finding breast cancer. 

If a lump is found, your doctor may order other tests, such as ultrasound or a biopsy--a test where a small amount of tissue is taken from the lump and area around the lump. The tissue is sent to a lab to look for cancer or changes that may mean cancer is likely to develop. Breast lumps or growths can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). Finding breast cancer early means that a woman has a better chance of surviving the disease. There are also more choices for treatment when breast cancer is found early. 

Are there different types of mammograms?                              

Screening mammograms are done for women who have no symptoms of breast cancer. When you reach age 40, you should have a mammogram every one to two years.

Diagnostic mammograms are done when a woman has symptoms of breast cancer or a breast lump. This mammogram takes longer than screening mammograms because more pictures of the breast are taken.

Digital mammograms take an electronic image of the breast and store it directly in a computer. Current research has not shown that digital images are better at finding cancer than x-ray film images.  

If your provider has ordered a mammogram, the following locations are available:  

• On Wednesdays the mobile mammogram bus comes to our office (rather, in front of our office).  To schedule, contact your provider.  It can also be scheduled to coincide with your yearly or bone density scan. 
• You can schedule with Portneuf Medical Center call 239-2662. 
• You can schedule with Idaho Medical Imaging at 233-3000. 

You must have a provider’s order before scheduling your mammogram.