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You can make a difference when it comes to breast cancer
Learn to check your breasts – what every woman should do.
Learn how to check your breasts.
It’s not as hard as you might think. A doctor or nurse can show you what you need to do and what to look and feel for.
Check your breasts once a month.
Get to know how your breasts look and feel. Look for any changes from one month to the next.
Checking your breasts takes just a few minutes. Choose a day in each month that is easy for you to remember.
Check your whole breast area.
This is the area from your armpit to just below your breasts; over to the middle of your chest, up to your collarbone.
Lie flat on your back.
- Put one arm over your head. Put a pillow under your shoulder.
- Start under your armpit with your other hand. You will be checking your whole breast area up and down.
Move your fingers in small circles.
- Use the flat part of your fingers.
- Make 3 little circles. First press gently. Then, feel a little deeper. Then, press as deep as you can.
- Without lifting your fingers, move them down a little. Make 3 more little circles the same way.
- Keep making circles. Little by little, move your fingers until you have felt below your breast.
Check every inch of your breast.
- Feel in little circles. Keep going up and down.
- Raise your other arm. Follow the same steps on your other breast.
Stand in front of a mirror.
- Look at the size and shape of your breasts. Are there any changes?
- Look at your skin. Do you see any changes?
- Look at your nipples. Squeeze your nipples to check for fluid.
You can make a difference by doing these three things.
- Check your breasts every month.
- Have a doctor or nurse check your breasts once a year. The doctor or nurse will look and feel for changes in your breasts.
- Talk with your doctor or nurse about when you should have a mammogram. A mammogram is an x-ray of the breasts. Breast x-rays can find breast lumps too small for you or your doctor to feel.
If you find a lump or see any other changes, see a doctor right away. Don’t wait.
- Most breast changes do not mean cancer.
- By checking out these breast changes, women can get help right away if there is cancer.
- When breast cancer is found early, it is much easier to treat.
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