The best way to detect breast cancer early is to examine your breasts on a regular basis. Of course, this may not be effective in detecting all types of cancer, but it is an important step that you can take independently. Once you start examining your breasts regularly, you will be able to tell immediately if something does not feel right. Cautionary measures like this can help with timely detection, and this can make a huge difference to the outcome of treatment.

It is best to make breast self examination or BSE a monthly habit. Do this some days after your period ends because this is when your breasts are not so sore and swollen. Women who no longer experience menstruation can pick any day that is easy to remember, such as the first of every month. If you do find a lump when examining your breasts, don’t panic. Most women find lumpy areas in their breasts and in majority of cases, these are benign, harmless lumps. The five steps of breast self-examination are as follows:

Step 1 – Stand in front of the mirror with your hands on your hips and shoulders straight. Look at your breasts in the mirror and examine their usual color, shape and size. Also check that both breasts are shaped evenly and do not have any swelling or unusual appearance. Consult your doctor if you notice any of the following;
-- Redness, swelling, tenderness or rash
-- Unusual position of the nipple or inversion of the nipple
-- Puckering or bulging of the skin of the breasts

Breast self-detection

Step 2 – Lift your arms up and examine your breasts for the same changes as above.

Step 3 – Squeeze each nipple gently using your thumb and finger in order to check for any discharge such as milky liquid, yellow fluid or blood.

Step 4 – Now lie down and feel your left breast with your right hand. Be firm, but gentle, and run your fingers smoothly around the area. Try to keep your fingers together and flat on the skin. Then feel your right breast using your left hand. Make sure to cover both breasts entirely, checking from the armpit to the cleavage and from the collarbone to the top of your upper abdomen. It is advisable to begin feeling around the nipple and then move outwards in circles towards the edge of the breast. You can also feel the breast vertically, moving up and down. Examine the tissues which are just beneath the skin with a gentle touch. Use a slightly firmer touch to feel the deeper tissues.

Step 5 – Sit or stand and then feel your breasts. You can also examine your breasts in the shower when your skin is wet. Keep in mind that the upper and outer part of the breasts normally has bumps while the lower part of the breasts may feel pebbly or grainy to the touch. It is important that you learn about the normal appearance and feel of your breasts. Then as you examine your breasts you will be able to detect any changes. Talk to your doctor about any changes that persist over a month or seem to worsen or become prominent over time. Performing a regular breast self-examination may sometimes help to avoid biopsies in which a sample of breast tissue is obtained and analyzed in a laboratory. You can also maintain a record of your breast examinations in a diary. You can note down any irregularities or changes for reference. This is especially helpful in the beginning as it will give you an idea about the normal appearance and feel of your breasts. Lumps normally appear in the breasts during certain times and then disappear as the menstrual cycle progresses.

One of the earliest signs of cancer is a painless lump in the breast which stretches into the surrounding tissues when felt. Nipple discharge or erosion is also a symptom of early breast cancer. In the later stages, the lump may become harder and deeply attached to the tissue or skin. The skin above the lump may also pucker and the nipple may retract. Later symptoms also include swelling of the breast and inflammation. Most cases of breast cancer start in the nipple or upper, outer area of the breast. The chances of a successful recovery are quite high when the cancer is detected early.