Breast self-examination (BSE)

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Have you had your breast self-exams this week?


 What is Breast Self-Examination ?
Breast self examination involves feeling,touching and observing your breast to get to know how your breast feels and looks.

When should I perform breast self-examination?
  1. When I am 20 years and above
  2. Every month
  3. One week after my menses

Why should I perform breast self-examination?
  1. To get to know how my breast feels and looks 
  2. It's easy and less expensive  
  3. It's convenient and can be done at home
  4. No specialist is required 
  5. It enhances early detection and treatment of breast cancer
What to look out for during breast self-examination
  1. A lump in the breast
  2. A thickening in the breast
  3. Bloody discharge from the nipples
  4. Changes in the shapes and texture of nipples and breast skin.

How can I do breast self-examination?
There are three ways you can perform breast self examination which include:
  1. Whiles lying down 
  2. Whiles bathing
  3. Whiles standing in front of a mirror


So how do we perform Breast self-examination whiles lying down?
  • Use a pillow to support your neck and back. 
  • With your fingers together,use the pads of your fingers to palpate your breast.
  • Palpate around your breast and make sure you cover your entire breast. 
  • Move your hands in a circular motion
  • Look out for lump and any  thickening in your breast.
How do we perform BSE whiles standing in front of a mirror?
  1. Stand with yours hands on your waist facing a mirror
  2. Inspect breast for physical changes such as skin changes,redness
  3. Squeeze your nipple and look out for discharge
  4. Bend forward to observe changes in breast size

How do we perform BSE  whiles bathing?
  1. Whiles your body is still soapy ,use the pads of your fingers to move around your breast in a circular motion.
  2. Put your left  hand on your head and use the right to palpate the left breast
  3. Repeat same for the right breast
  4. Ensure you cover your entire breast

If you detect any unusal changes in your breast don't hestitate to contact the doctor








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