Breast Self-Exam

Recently there has been some controversy in regard to breast self-exam. Several medical articles indicate that there is no benefit to this procedure in early diagnosis of breast cancer. The reasoning stems from patient anxiety over what they feel leading to over use of extensive work-ups involving mammograms, MRIs, aspirations, and biopsies. Certainly this is true; but that is because most people have not been instructed in the proper method for self-exam. If physicians took the time to demonstrate and teach the technique and the logic behind the exam, most patients would respond in the proper context that certainly would lead to earlier intervention with possible life-saving results. The technique involves gentle palpation in a consistent direct at each exam (which should be performed once a month). The secret is not what is felt the first time, but rather the change from the last exam! Its the changes in each breast’s presentation that matters. Once a person knows how each breast feels and where the “lumps and bumps” are they are the able to assess a real change. This certainly can be picked up 12 times a year and therefore sooner than once a year mammograms or biannual physician exams. Breast self-exam still has an important place in the fight against breast cancer.