Breast Awareness: What to Look for in Your Self-Exam
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and cancer awareness starts with general breast awareness. Julie Nangia, medical director of breast oncology at the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, recommends monthly breast self-exams to stay aware of changes in the breast that could be cancer.
The idea is to get to know your breasts – how they feel and what they look like – so that you notice when something is different.
Nangia advises women to perform self-exams two weeks after their period and not more than once a month. To do a self-exam, she recommends using the flat of your three middle fingers.
- Get to know your breasts to notice changes.
- Perform self-exams two weeks after your period.
- Use the flat of your three middle fingers for the exam.
Author's summary: Breast self-exams help detect cancer early.