How to do a breast self-examination
Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer in Spain, second only to colorectal cancer, according to data from the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology. It is estimated that 1 in 8 women will develop this disease . Therefore, in this article, we will outline the key steps for performing a systematic breast self-examination, thanks to Dr. Isabel Rodríguez Piñero , gynecologist at the Women's Unit of the Ruber International Hospital.
But before that, it's important to note that there is currently no evidence that breast self-examination reduces the risk of mortality. However, in our practice, we recommend breast self-examination after menstruation has ended , especially in high-risk cases, as it's always beneficial to be familiar with your breasts and, if any lumps appear, the sooner they are detected, the better.
Even so, breast self-examination should never be a substitute for screening and prevention tests in the office , such as ultrasounds or mammograms.
How to do a breast self-examination
Dr. Isabel Rodríguez-Piñero tells us what 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 is 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, the survival rate is almost 100%.
For this reason, the most important thing is to start having regular gynecological checkups once you begin having sexual relations . Thus, these checkups should include a thorough breast examination, regardless of the patient's age.
In addition, from the age of 25 , and if there is a family history or abnormalities are observed, it is recommended to carry out more specific tests such as mammography and ultrasound.
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 exam reveals any lumps in either breast, further, more invasive diagnostic tests will be necessary . These include a fine-needle aspiration biopsy to analyze the cells of the lumps, 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 specialist in Gynecology and Obstetrics, the Women's Unit at Ruber International Hospital has a specialized department in this area. You can request more information by calling 91 387 51 72/73/74 or schedule an in-person appointment with top specialists.
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