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Breast Self Examination
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A breast self-exam includes both looking and feeling over the entire breast and chest area, and as a general rule should be performed once a month. The best time to conduct an exam is about a week after the beginning of your period, when your breasts are at their least swollen and tender. Here's how to do it:
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Manual inspection
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Stand upright or lie down on your back
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For each breast: move the pads of your middle three fingers around the breast in a pattern, making sure to cover the entire breast area. Try different patterns, such as vertical, circular, or "spokes of a wheel"
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Remember that most breast cancers are found in the upper, outer portion of the breast or in the area behind the nipple, so pay particular attention to these areas
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Also inspect the areas around your breasts, including the region from the armpit to the collarbone, and below the breasts
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If you began by standing up, lie down and repeat the same procedure; if you began by lying down, stand up and repeat the same procedure
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Visual Inspection
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Stand in front of a mirror with your arms by your sides and check your breasts for any changes in size, shape or position, dimpling or puckering of the skin, pushed-in or misshapen nipples, redness, swelling or other irregularities.
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Repeat the inspection with your hands on your hips
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Raise your arms over or behind your head, and turn to each side to inspect your breasts in profile.
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