Health and Fitness Information Center

Breast Self Examination

• Health Topics

• Asthma/Allergies
• Blood Pressure
• Blood Testing
• Body Fat Measuring
• Breast Exam
• Breastfeeding
• Cholesterol
• Defibrillator
• Diabetes
• Family Health
• Fitness
• Nutrition
• Safety
• Stress
• Thermometry
• Weight Control

Why is Breast Self-Examination So Important?
By examining your breast regularly, you will become familiar with what is normal for your body. By becoming familiar with what is normal, you will also be able to recognize changes promptly. Any change should be brought to the attention of your doctor.

Doing breast self-exams will help to give you peace of mind each month. But remember, breast self-exam is only one part of good breast health care. It is very important that you have regular clinical breast exams and mammogram's as advised by your doctor.

When Is the Best Time to Examine Your Breasts?
You should examine your breasts once very month within a week after the end of your menstrual period. This is the time when your breasts are least likely to be tender or swollen. If you have stopped having periods, or if your periods are not regular, examine your breasts every month, preferable on the same day of the month. Choose a day that is easy to remember ­ perhaps the first day of the month.

Important
It is very important that you understand three necessary components of a comprehensive breast-screening program.

• Breast self-examination (with or without The BSE Pad)
• Regular clinical breast exams by your doctor
• Mammogram's

Breast self-examination with or without The BSE Pad is not a replacement for a mammogram or clinical breast exam by your doctor. It is very important that you have regular clinical exams and mammogram's as advised by your doctor. Report any changes found either with your bare hand or The BSE Pad exam to your doctor for proper evaluation.