In addition to going for mammograms and annual check-ups, experts recommend that all adult women—beginning at age 18—perform monthly breast self-exams to check for lumps and other changes that might indicate the presence of breast cancer.
Continue the practice of giving yourself a breast self-exam throughout your life, even during pregnancy and after you go through menopause. Performing breast self-exams on a set, regular schedule will help you notice when things don’t look or feel quite right.
Keep reading to learn more about the importance of breast self-exams and what to look out for.
It’s helpful to remember that most breast lumps are benign. However, if you do find a knot or notice in your breasts, don’t panic. This alone don’t necessarily mean you have breast cancer. If you find something abnormal, make an appointment to see your physician. Depending on what you found, your doctor may want to see you right away.
Some women like to perform a breast self-exam in front of a mirror, and others prefer to do them in the shower or while lying down.
Ultimately, the most important thing is just to make sure you do them.
According to the American Cancer Society, you should examine your breasts using three different levels of pressure:
At the Logansport Memorial Women’s Health Center, you will meet with expert clinicians and oncologists who work with the latest technology to detect, handle, and manage breast cancer early when it is most treatable.
Request an appointment online or by calling (574) 722-3566.
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