BSE
Women with Larger Breasts FNAC or Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology is a test
Women with large breasts should lie down on their
side as shown in this picture to check the outer half
of the breast and
then keeping a hand
on the nipple to
mark the midline
role into the flat
position to examine inner half of the breast.
Women with
Breast Surgery or Implants
If you had breast surgery or implants follow the
same steps of looking and feeling making sure to
examine the whole thickness of the breast and the
area around it.
What you may feel when doing BSE
What you may feel is any abnormal thickening or
lump. All such thickening and lumps should be
palpated carefully in order to distinguish stable
normal conditions from potentially dangerous
changes. If any abnormal finding is there in one
breast, examine the same site on the other breast.
Any change found in one breast, specially in the
upper outer portion of breast is more likely to be
serious than a change which has a mirror image in
the other breast. In case of any doubt or change do
not panic as most of these lumps are not cancerous.
But contact your doctor immediately.
Diagnosis & treatment
of Breast Cancer
It is worthwhile for us to know how breast cancer
is diagnosed and treated so that in case the need
arises one is better prepared.
Certain investigations are needed to diagnose
breast cancer. One such investigation is
mammogram, which is nothing but the X-ray of the
breast in two positions.
Ultrasonography helps in making out the
difference between a fluid filled sac and any other
lump.
in which a needle is put into the lump and cells are
drawn to be viewed under the microscope.
To confirm the diagnosis of breast cancer biopsy is
done. Biopsy is a procedure by which a piece or
whole of abnormal breast tissue is removed for
examination.
To make a complete diagnosis staging of breast
cancer is done according to the size of the lump and
its spread. To understand the spread of cancer cells
in the body various other investigations may be
necessary.
After having made the diagnosis treatment is
initiated at the earliest. It includes surgery and
removal of the lump from the breast and other
surrounding areas, depending on the spread of the
disease.
Radiation therapy and giving oral and injectable
drugs in the form of chemotherapy are the two
other important methods of treatment which may be
used along with surgery depending on the stage of
the disease.
Hormonal therapy may be given in some situations
to suppress hormones which influence the onset of
breast cancer. For this certain studies are done
during the process of diagnosis.
Immunotherapy may be given along with others to
boost the immunity of an individual against
infection.
SWAASTHYA SANCHAR
D7/7412, VASANT KUNJ,
NEW DELHI - 110070
091-11-2689 1319
098 102 768 04
BREAST SELF
EXAMINATION
† WHY BSE ¢
Breast Cancer is fast emerging as the number one
cancer of women in urban India. One in every 22
Indian women is likely to get this disease in their
lifetime. At present Breast Cancer is not
preventable. But every woman can beat this
menace by detecting it early. Key is; doing Breast
Self Examination every month along with Regular
Checkups.
Since you care for yourself and your family, you
should not shy away nor should you get scared.
You should learn and practice BSE. Of course
you need to get yourself examined by a doctor and
go for regular mammogram.
† WHAT IS BSE ¢
BSE is nothing but a stepwise thorough
examination by a woman of her entire breast and
chest areas with the fingers to check for any lump.
BSE helps you become familiar with how breasts
normally feel so that any change which could be
in the form of lump can be reported as soon as it
appears. BSE is also simple to perform, it does not
cost you anything and you can practice it in the
privacy of your home.
BSE is to be done at the end of the menstrual
flow, that is when your breasts are least tender to
touch. Those of you who do not menstruate
should do BSE on the same date each month.
Breast feeding mothers should do BSE after
having emptied their breasts. Those with breast Women themselves can beat Breast Cancer.
implants or who have undergone breast surgery
should also do BSE regularly.
waist with your arms relaxed. into the breast
How to do BSE These two positions help you tissue at the same
notice any dimpling on the skin spot. And with
There are two parts of BSE. Part 1 is looking and or nipple often caused by a deep pressure one
Part 2 is feeling. growing lump. You should also feels up to the
Part 1 of BSE : Looking squeeze each nipple by rolling ribs on the verge
it gently between your thumb of pain. It is
For doing part 1 of BSE you need a well fixed Jan and index finger to look for any Jul worth emphasizing that every spot has to be
mirror big enough to see your body waist upwards. discharge. examined by making coin sized circular
Stand facing this mirror, movement applying three different pressures
Part 2 of BSE : Feeling
first with using pads of three middle fingers. Do not use the
your arms Feeling is done most effectively while lying down. tips of the fingers, use only the pads as they are
down by Feb Place a folded towel or pillow under the shoulder
Aug most sensitive to touch. Next move three finger
your sides. of the side of which breast is to be felt and then width downwards. Keeping the fingers straight
In the place the with pads flat
reflection of arm at an against the breast,
the mirror check the shape and size Mar angel of Sep cover the entire area
of your breasts as 90 spot by spot going
well as the color degrees up and down in
and texture of the as shown vertical strips about
skin over the Apr in the Oct as wide as your
breasts . Then, with both your picture. three fingers. Do
arms fully raised above the This position enables the breast tissue to spread not lift the fingers
shoulders and slowly moving your more evenly. Check the whole breast from the away from the skin
upper body from May armpit to the breastbone and from collarbone to Nov to avoid missing a
one side to the bra line. Now, let us understand the crucial spot.
another look for part of examination. Starting from the armpit
any changes. It is Next bring your arm by your side and examine
using the pads of middle three fingers make three
the armpit. Then check the other breast exactly in
not unusual for one breast to be Jun coin Dec the same manner. After you have done BSE a few
larger than the other. You should sized
learn what is normal for you so times you
circles.
that you can spot get used to
While
any change the normal
making
immediately. lumpiness of
these
There are two other positions in your breast
circles three different pressures light, medium
which breasts have to be examined. and you
and deep have to be applied at every spot so as to
With both the hands pushing down have no trouble detecting a change. Although
check the full thickness of your breast. With light
on the hips to tighten your chest most changes are not cancerous if you find a
pressure only the skin over the breast moves,
muscles and bending forward at the change have it checked by a doctor immediately.
with medium pressure one moves deeper midway