While October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, being aware of our own breast health deserves year-round attention. In an interview with POPSUGAR, Black Women's Health Imperative President and CEO, Linda Goler Blount, MPH, said that from the time a person with breasts begins puberty, that they should start self-examining their breasts and lymph nodes. She also recommends that anyone over the age of 35 should begin their annual 3D mammogram in order to detect breast cancer as early as possible.
In the video above, registered nurse Carla Garcia-Molina, MSN, RN of Moffitt Cancer Center, located in Tampa, FL, takes you through a full breast cancer self examination. Make sure to do these self exams once a month so that you get familiar with how your body looks and feels. Being familiar with your body allows for you to notice any changes that may occur over time and you can discuss those changes with your doctor.
While going through these motions, Garcia-Molina explains that it is important to look for nipple retraction, bulges, or dimpling on the breast, as these can be signs of breast cancer.
There are two parts to this portion of the exam that Garcia-Molina guides you through. The first is a standing exam:
The second part is done lying down: