Breast Health · Awareness
Guest article: written by a credited contributor for education, not as medical advice. See our Editorial Policy.
Aware today for a healthier tomorrow
About 80% of breast cancers occur in women with no specific risk factors other than sex and age.
Lump in the breast or armpits,
Change in size/ shape of breast,
Discharge from nipple,
Redness/ swelling
Early detection helps in timely treatment
Maintain a healthy weight,
Eat balanced diet,
Avoid tobacco/ alcohol
Help remove stigma,
Spread awareness
Educate yourself and others,
Promote women's health.
Two broad headings to classify breast carcinoma -
Breast cancer is not only a woman's disease.
Look for any lump, nipple change, discharge or skin changes and get it checked.
About 0.5% - 1% of all breast cancer occur in men.
Begin your breast exam by standing topless in front of a mirror with your arms relaxed at your sides. Observe each breast's size, shape, and symmetry. Then, raise your arms overhead to see if both breasts move evenly.
Next, press your hands on your hips and lean slightly forward to tighten your chest muscles. Look for changes to look for in breasts, such as skin puckering, nipple inversion, or visible swelling. These may be visual signs of breast cancer that need medical evaluation.
The next step in the step-by-step breast check is palpation using your fingers to feel for irregularities.
Standing or shower method: With the pads of your fingers, press gently but firmly in a circular motion, covering the entire breast area from collarbone to bra line and from armpit to cleavage. Use light, medium, and firm pressure to examine different tissue layers.
Lying down method: Place a pillow under your shoulder and your opposite hand behind your head. Again, use the opposite hand to examine the breast in a vertical strip, circular, or wedge pattern. Don't forget the nipple and the area under the armpit, where lymph nodes are located; both can be key in how to detect breast lump changes.
Dr. Nesa Mirza, MBBS, is a general practitioner based in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. She completed her MBBS at ICARE Institute of Medical Sciences and Research & Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy Hospital, Haldia, West Bengal. She works as a Government Medical Officer at an Urban Primary Health Centre, where she treats patients every day. She has also worked as a Gynaecology Resident Doctor, gaining experience in caring for pregnant mothers in a government healthcare setting. She has started writing as a medical content writer on LinkedIn, and two of her articles have been published in online health magazines. She is passionate about creating awareness and educating vulnerable groups.
Further reading from health authorities
General topic pages from authoritative organizations for further reading. They are suggested resources and are not a line-by-line citation of the statements in this article. Always confirm personal medical decisions with a healthcare professional.