3 Steps to Early Detection

Cancer awareness

Early detection is key. When breast cancer is detected early, and is in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. Early detection means finding cancer before it spreads. Breast cancer cannot usually be prevented, but early detection provides the greatest possibility of successful treatment. Early detection includes doing monthly breast self-exams and scheduling regular clinical exams and mammograms. By following the three steps outlined in this guide, you can help increase your chance of detecting breast cancer early.

The first step in practicing early detection is developing breast self-awareness. Knowing how your breasts normally look and feel, also called breast self-awareness, will help you identify any changes or abnormalities in your breasts that should be reported to your doctor promptly. You should know the geography of your breasts better than anyone.

Breast lump

One of the most commonly reported breast changes is a lump. A breast lump is a mass, growth, or swelling within the breast tissue. A breast lump often feels like a solid or thick spot in or around the breast tissue, or in the underarm area.
A breast lump will be noticeably more solid than the surrounding breast tissue.


Breast lumps can vary in size, shape, and feel. Some may be the size of a pea, while others may be larger than a golf ball. Breast lumps may feel round, smooth, and moveable, or may be hard, jagged, and stationary. Breast lumps may be present in one or both breasts. Some breast lumps may cause pain or discomfort, but many do not. A painful breast lump is not necessarily a sign of breast cancer, but should be looked at by a doctor.


If you find a breast lump, schedule an appointment with your doctor, but don’t panic – most lumps are not cancer.
In fact, 60-80% of breast lumps are non-cancerous. However, it is important to note that the absence of a noticeable breast lump does not mean breast cancer cannot or has not developed.

Male breast lump

Although breast cancer primarily affects women, men also have breast tissue that can develop breast cancer. Male breast cancer is rare and makes up less than 1% of all breast cancer diagnoses. While rare, men carry a higher breast cancer mortality rate than women due to delayed diagnosis and treatment.


Male breast cancer is usually self-detected as a hard lump underneath the nipple and areola. As in women, the lump
may or may not be painful. Men should see a doctor immediately if they notice a lump anywhere within the breast tissue of either breast or underarm area.

Breast self-exam

Every woman will have a unique “normal” feel to their breasts. Some women’s breasts may be more textured, or dense, than others. The feel of your breasts may also change based on your monthly menstrual cycle. It is important for all women to be breast self-aware and know what normal feels like for them. This will help you easily and quickly identify any breast changes. 

 

The best way to become familiar with your normal breast feel is to perform a monthly breast self-exam. Additionally, if you
have had breast surgery, either for breast cancer or other reason, you will need to re-learn the “normal” look and feel of your breasts as surgery may change what was once normal for you.


Adult women of all ages are encouraged to perform a monthly breast self-exam to look for any changes in the breast tissue, including a lump or other abnormalities, such as changes in the breast skin. While a breast self-exam is a useful tool for the early detection of breast cancer, it should not take the place of regular mammograms and clinical exams.

How to perform a breast self-exam

You should perform a breast self-exam 7-10 days after your menstrual period starts which is when your breasts are the least tender and lumpy. If you are no longer menstruating, then you should select the same day of the month (first of the month, for example) and mark it on the calendar to remind yourself when to perform this self-exam. You should look for any changes from your previous month’s exam to this month’s exam. 

 

There are 3 steps to follow to perform a thorough breast self-exam:

1. In the shower

With the pads/flats of your 3 middle fingers, check the entire breast and armpit area, pressing down with light, medium, and firm pressure. Check both breasts each month, feeling for any new lumps, thickenings, hardened knots, or any other
breast changes.

2. In Front of a Mirror

With your arms at your sides, visually inspect your breasts, looking for any changes in the contour or shape of the breasts,
any dimpling, swelling, or other skin irregularities on or around the breasts, or any changes in the nipples. Next, rest your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Look for any dimpling, puckering, or other changes, particularly on one side. Note that the left and right breasts will not exactly match—few women’s breasts are perfectly
symmetrical.

3. Lying Down

When lying down, the breast tissue spreads out evenly along the chest wall. Place a pillow under your right shoulder and
put your right arm behind your head. Using your left hand, move the pads of your 3 middle fingers around your right breast, covering the entire breast area and armpit. Use light, medium, and firm pressure to feel for any new lumps, thickenings, hardened knots, or any other breast changes. Also squeeze the nipple to check for discharge. Repeat these steps for your left breast.

Signs & symptoms

Every person should know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Many early-stage breast cancers do not produce any noticeable signs or symptoms, but sometimes symptoms may be present. Most people who have breast cancer symptoms will initially notice only one or two, and the presence of these symptoms does not automatically mean that you have breast cancer. If you notice symptoms or anything unusual, talk to your doctor promptly.

Changes to look for include:

  • A new lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area
  • Any unexplained change in the size or shape of the breast, including swelling or shrinkage (especially if on one side only)
  • Dimpling anywhere on the breast
  • Puckering in the skin of the breast
  • A nipple turned inward (inverted) into the breast
  • Discharge (fluid) from the nipple (particularly clear or bloody discharge)
  • A change in the skin texture, discoloration, swelling, or an enlargement of pores in the skin of the breast (some describe this as similar to an orange peel’s texture)
  • Scaly, red, or swollen skin on the breast, nipple, or areola
  • Recent asymmetry (unequal or lack of sameness) of the breasts

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