How to do a breast self-examination
El breast cancer It is the second most common type of tumor in Spain, behind only colon and rectal cancer, according to data from the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology. It is estimated, in fact, that 1 in 8 women will suffer from this disease. Thus, in this article we are going to note the keys to perform a breast self-examination in a systemic way, thanks to the Dr. Isabel Rodríguez Piñero, gynecologist at the Women's Unit of the Ruber International Hospital.
But before that, it's worth noting that there is currently no evidence that breast self-examination reduces the risk of mortality. However, In consultation we recommend breast self-examination once menstruation is over, especially in high-risk cases, since it is always good to know our breasts well and, if a lump appears, the sooner it is detected, the better.
Still, breast self-examination It should never be a substitute for in-office screening and prevention tests., such as ultrasounds or mammograms.
How to do a breast self-examination
La Dr. Isabel Rodríguez-Piñero It tells us the steps we should take to perform a breast self-examination at home:
- We stand in front of the mirror and look at our breasts. We raise our arms to assess any asymmetry or skin retraction.
- Next, lying in bed, we raise one arm and palpate the entire breast (clockwise, counterclockwise, in quadrants, etc.). We do this with both breasts.
- Next, we also examine the armpit area, behind the tendon, to see if there are any nodules.
- Finally, we press on the areola to see if there is any discharge.
Early detection of breast cancer
As we mentioned, breast self-examination should never replace gynecological checkups. It's important to note that the overall survival rate for this type of cancer in Spain is over 90%. Thus, When the tumor is detected early, survival is almost 100%..
For this reason, the most important thing is Start having regular gynecological check-ups once you begin having sexual relations.Thus, these checkups should include a thorough breast examination, regardless of the patient's age.
Furthermore, from the 25 years, and if there is a family history or abnormalities are observed, more specific tests such as mammography and ultrasound are recommended.
An MRI scan is also an option if the results of the previous tests are inconclusive.
What happens if a lump is detected?
If a gynecological examination detects the presence of lumps in one of the breasts, it is necessary to proceed perform other somewhat more invasive diagnostic testsWe're talking about a fine-needle biopsy to analyze the cells in the nodules, or, if the diagnosis is clearly unfavorable, a core needle biopsy.
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If you found this article interesting and would like to be seen by a professional expert in Gynecology and Obstetrics, the Women's Unit at Ruber International Hospital has a specialized unit in this area. You can request more information by calling the following numbers: 91 387 51 72/73/74 or make an appointment for an in-person consultation, always with the best specialists.
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