![]() Remove your shirt and bra, then look at your breasts in the mirror.Don’t choose a day too close to your menstrual cycle, as hormones can affect the way your breasts feel. Examples include the first or last day of every month, or the same number as your birthday. Pick a specific day to conduct the exam every month.Comander offers these step-by-step instructions for breast self-examination: For example, a lump that changes location or feels different when you push it around, raise your arm, or lie down is less likely to be a tumor.ĭr. “If something is more fixed in place, that would be more of a concern, as opposed to a lumpy area that is more mobile,” she explains. Comander suggests trying to move it around. We like it that way-when we pick up cancers when they’re tiny, we can have a better chance of curing our patients and using less aggressive treatments to achieve that,” she says. “Most breast cancers in the United States are detected by mammograms, and they’re usually quite small. It’s harder to feel breast tumors smaller than a centimeter in diameter. ![]() ![]() In order for you to feel a cancerous lump, it probably has to be rather large and closer to the surface of the skin. ![]() And it often has angular, irregular, asymmetrical edges, as opposed to being smooth, Dr. A cancerous lump is usually hard, not soft or squishy. Shape and size of a breast lumpĪ tumor may feel more like a rock than a grape. Pain in the breasts may indicate an ingrown hair, clogged milk duct, cyst, swollen gland, or other issue. Most breast tumors do not hurt, although some might. But it’s important to seek medical attention if you notice them, Dr. So these symptoms are not necessarily signs of breast cancer. Many things can cause skin changes, including infections, eczema, and allergies. Look for any skin changes on or around the breasts, such as: She describes several important characteristics to consider about your breast tissue. People don't really know what they’re looking for, and they’re afraid they’ll find something that will make them panic,” Dr. “There’s a lot of misunderstanding and anxiety about performing a breast self-exam. But if you have any doubt or questions, make an appointment for a physical exam and mammogram.įactors to consider if you notice a lump in breast tissue Comander suggests you consider several specific factors, such as shape, size, whether there is skin involvement, and whether the lump causes pain. ![]() The breast self-exam is another tool we can use to take charge of our own health.” “But it’s important that we are aware of our own bodies, so if we notice a change, we know what to do about it. The majority of breast lumps are actually benign,” she says. Many people do have lumps in their breasts, and that can sometimes change with their menstrual cycle. “Every person’s breast tissue will feel different. Comander is medical director of the Mass General Cancer Center at Mass General Waltham and director of the Breast Oncology Program at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Most turn out to be benign (noncancerous) issues.Īmy Comander, MD, an oncologist, encourages people to check their breasts regularly and understand what to look for in their own unique bodies. But if you notice a lump or change in your breasts, don’t panic. Breast self-examination and body awareness are important to your health and wellness. ![]()
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