The four-step method to spot a lump in your breast

NEW DELHI: India is witnessing an upward trend in the number of breast cancer cases, with an increased incidence in younger women.

Research shows that regular self-examination of your breasts is crucial in spotting lumps or other abnormalities resulting in early diagnosis.

A lump in the breast is one of the early signs of breast cancer and perhaps the most distinguishing symptom of the disease; however, not all lumps in the breast are cancerous, says Dr. Anand Parihar, Imaging and Radiology Consultant & Founder, Cope with Cancer. Hear the experts explain all in detail.

Detecting lumps in your breast yourself: To carry out the breast self-examination at home, it is broken up in two parts- a visual examination followed by a physical examination:

Visual Examination - By standing in front of a mirror without your clothes on, place your hands behind your back. Facing forward, look out for wrinkles, dimples or differences in size, shape, and symmetry of the breast. Look for inversion of the nipples (turned inward) or any discharge from the nipple. Move on to lifting the breasts, check for symmetry along the bottom and if there are any folds. Lift each arm, one after the other to check for the following symptoms: Change in the size or shape of your breast, Ache or discomfort in any area, A new lump under the arm or the breast.

Physical Examination (4 step method)- The first step is to gently place two or three fingers of each hand under the ears and progressively move them in circles using three different pressures: light, medium and deep. Carry on by moving down in circular motions until you reach the collar bone.

In step two, gently press the area between the collarbones and move along the line of the collarbone to physically experience any abnormality in the area.

Moving on to the third step, stand and raise the left hand, place it behind your neck. Use three fingers of your right hand and start pressing gently towards your armpit from the lower area near the breast. Gently press the area in a small gradual circular motion while checking for lumps. The whole procedure should take no more than 2-3 mins.

For the final step, lie down flat on a bed placing one hand behind your head. Your breast should lie as flat on your chest as possible. (IANSlife)

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