While a mammogram is the most accurate tool, screenings don’t usually start until age 40. This leaves a large percentage of women who are unscreened. That’s why performing regular breast self-exams is recommended by doctors—they can alert you to a potential problem, in which case you can consult with your doctor for a thorough diagnosis. “Self-exams can be lifesaving, especially in women under the age of 40 who are not usually undergoing routine screening mammograms,” says Dr. Starr Mautner, MD, breast surgical oncologist at Miami Cancer Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida. “Unfortunately, a lot of women are afraid to do it because they aren’t a specialist and don’t think they know what to look for. If you do it every month, you’ll know if something is new. I have seen too many women under the age of 40, and even under the age of 30, who have found their own breast cancers through self-exam.” Giving yourself routine exams is the only way to know what your norm is. “Breast self-exams allow you to have an awareness of the normal feel and look of your breasts,” Kecia Gaither, MD,MPH, FACOG, double board-certified in OB/GYN and Maternal Fetal Medicine, Director of Perinatal Services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, explains. “You can easily denote changes from baseline given that you know how your breasts should look and feel. Your exams are the first indicator that there may be an issue with your breasts, and will thus allow you to alert your health provider to further investigate any changes noted,” Dr. Gaither adds.
How to do a self-breast exam
Dr. Gaither tells her patients to try this exam: 2. While lying down, place your right arm behind your head, using your left hand with the pads of your fingers to gently circle the right breast and underarm area looking for masses. Repeat the process by placing your left hand behind your head and using the right hand with the pads of your fingers gently circle the left breast and underarm area looking for masses. Gently squeeze the nipples to assess for discharge or masses on both breasts. 3. In the shower, soap up the breasts well—using the pads of your fingers again assess the breasts in the same manner as if you were lying down (see #2), looking for masses, lumps, thickening, nipple discharge/masses. Contact your health provider if you notice any changes.
Examining your nipples
Along with feeling for any lumps or abnormalities on and near the breast area, you should be mindful of the health of your nipples. Here are a few things to take note of:
Nipple color
Nipples come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Color is typically not an indicator of your health, except perhaps if you suddenly notice a rash or lesion. If your nipples suddenly turn red, that could be cause for concern. “This could be a symptom of Paget’s disease, a type of breast cancer with additional symptoms of itching, scaliness and yellow or bloody discharge,” Dr. Gaither explains. Visit your doctor if you notice any of these nipple changes.
Nipple discharge
In most cases, nipple discharge is benign, but there are rare instances when it’s a sign of breast cancer. If discharge is coming out of both breasts or occurs after squeezing the nipple, it may be from certain medications, an infection, injury, or inflammation clogging the breast ducts. “There are instances when nipple discharge is an indicator of thyroid disease or breast cancer. If the discharge is painful, bloody or green in color, you should see your healthcare provider,” Gaither suggests.
Additional signs to look out for on your nipple
Flaky or scaly skin Suddenly turning red without an explanationBloody or yellow dischargeSuddenly inverted or flattened
Remember, nobody knows your breasts better than you, so if you feel or notice a major change, it’s best to consult with your doctor. Next, read this preventative health checklist in your 20s, 30s and beyond.
Sources
Dr. Starr Mautner, breast surgical oncologist at Miami Cancer Institute, part of Baptist Health South FloridaKecia Gaither, MD, MPH, FACOG, double board-certified in OB/GYN and Maternal Fetal Medicine, Director of Perinatal Services at NYC Health + Hospitals/LincolnMayo Clinic: “Paget’s Disease of the Breast”Medline Plus: “Nipple Discharge”
