Guidelines Women Should Follow for Early Detection of Breast Cancer

Breast Changes and Warning Signs To Watch For With Breast Self-Exam:

• Any new lump found in the breast or armpit
• Any lump or thickening that does not shrink or lessen after your next period
• Any change in the size, shape or symmetry of your breast
• A thickening or swelling of the breast
• Any dimpling, puckering or indention in the breast
• Dimpling, skin irritation or other change in the breast skin or nipple
• Redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin
• Nipple discharge (fluid coming from your nipples other than breast milk), particularly if the discharge is bloody, clear and sticky, dark or occurs without squeezing your nipple
• Nipple tenderness or pain
• Nipple retraction: turning or drawing inward or pointing in a new direction
• Any breast change that may be cause for concern

What If I Feel a Lump?

While monthly breast self exams are no longer recommended by the American Cancer Society and other organizations, these organizations still suggest that self exams can be performed to help detect changes in the breasts to call to a physician's attention. Women who perform self exams should consult a healthcare professional to determine how to correctly perform the exam. If women learn to perform BSE correctly, they can help detect changes and bring them promptly to a medical professional.

Comparing Different Breast Exams

Size of Tumors Found by Mammography and Breast Self-Exam
	Average-size lump detected with routine mammogram (0.43 inches / 1.1 cm)
	Average-size lump detected with first mammogram (0.59 inches / 1.5 cm)
	Average-size lump found by regularly practicing breast self-exam (0.83 inches / 2.1 cm)
	Average-size lump found accidentally (1.42 inches / 3.6 cm)

* These images were created for viewing at 800 by 600 resolution on a 16-inch monitor. They will appear larger or smaller depending upon display size and resolution. However, the relative size of the detected tumor will remain consistent.

Click Here to Learn More About Breast Self-exam

Updated: May 17, 2009

< Prev | 1 | 2

Click Here to Learn More About Breast Self-exam