Breast Self Awareness
Breast Self Awareness
Except for skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, but it can be successfully treated. Screening tests can find cancer early,when it's most treatable.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure® recomends that you:
1. Know your risk
- Talk to your family to learn about your family health history
- Talk to your doctor about your personal risk of breast cancer
- Ask your doctor which screening tests are right for you if you are at a higher risk
- Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you are at average risk
- Have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years starting at 20, and every year year starting at 40
- See your health care provider right away if you notice any of these breast changes:
- Lump, hard knot or thickening
- Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening
- Change in size or shape of the breast
- Dimpling or puckering of the skin
- Itchy, scaly, sore or rash on the nipple
- Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast
- Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
- New pain in one spot that doesn't go away
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Add exercise into your routine
- Limit alcohol intake
Breast Self-Exam (BSE) Instructional Tool
Breast self-exam (BSE) is a tool that may help you learn what is normal for you. BSE involves looking at and feeling your breasts. Women who practice BSE should also be sure to get mammograms and clinical breast exams at the appropriate age. BSE should not be substituted for these screening tests.Learn the strengths and weaknesses of each of the standard screening tests currently available to women—mammography (including digital mammography), MRI, clinical breast exam and breast self-exam—as well as what happens if a test shows something abnormal at www.komen.org in the section Breast Health.