The Importance Of BSE – Breast Self-Examination

Breast is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in India and in the world . Breast cancer is a type of cancer that develops from tissues in your breast.

Signs and symptoms of breast cancer include a painless or painful lump in your breast, a change in the shape of your breast, dimpling in your breast skin, fluid discharge from the nipple, or a scaly red patch of skin. Those with a spread of breast cancer may experience bone pain, yellow skin, swollen lymph nodes, or shortness of breath.

Most women know they should perform breast self-examination (BSE) every month. But many do not know how to do it, says Dr. Garvit Chitkara, a well-known breast cancer surgeon in Mumbai.

If you are not sure what a BSE is and how to conduct it, do not worry – we are here to help.

What is BSE – breast self-examination?

Women should self-examine their breasts to feel and look for any changes at least once a month. Monthly breast examinations will help you be breast aware and pick up cancer early. Early detection will make the treatment simpler to treat and provide higher chances of getting cured.

Although most bumps and anomalies are not cancer, if you see anything out of the ordinary, please get in touch with Dr. Garvit Chitkara, a renowned breast oncology surgeon in Mumbai.

Breast oncoplastic procedures are Dr. Chitkara’s area of expertise, and his goal is to offer all patients complete breast care in a secure, comforting, and pleasant setting.

How is breast self-examination done?

Breast self-examinations are quick and simple and can fit into your routine. You can examine your breasts while changing into your daytime or nighttime outfit, lying in bed before sleep, when you wake up or while taking a bath.

1. The first step is to know your breasts by looking at them in the mirror. Keep your arms relaxed by your sides and look for any changes in size, shape, or position, as well as any skin changes.

Dr. Garvit Chitkara, a highly-skilled breast oncosurgeon in Mumbai, says it is okay if your breasts never had the same size or shape. Breasts in most women are not symmetrical.

You are only looking to see if any changes have occurred that look out of the ordinary. Examine the area for any puckering, dimpling, peeling, sores, discoloration, or a change in their direction.

• Lean forward, bend towards the mirror and stretch your chest muscles by rolling your elbows and shoulders.Your breasts will drop to the front. Look closely to see if there are any changes in their contour or shape.

• Next, touch your breasts while you are lying down. With your right hand, touch your left breast and vice versa. Use small circular motions, moving from the outside of your breast inward. Be sure to feel all of the breast tissue, including under your arms.

• Raise your arms and examine your breasts closely. Look for any changes, such as dimpling, redness, or swelling. Be sure to examine both the front and around your breasts.

• Inspect your nipples for any fluid discharge. Using your forefinger and thumb, pull the tissue that surrounds your nipple in an outward direction till the tip of the nipple. See if you can detect any discharge. Now repeat this procedure on your second breast.

• Now it is time for the shower test. Check your breast for any changes. It is advantageous to have soapy, watery hands. Look for lumps or thick swelling in the area under your arms. Placing your left hand on the hip, use your right hand to reach under your left armpit to feel any changes. Repeat the same for the other side.

• The best time to do a breast self-examination is between the 7^th to 10^th of your period and you must do it atleast once a month to pick up any changes in the breast. On other days breasts can be engorged and tender making the examination difficult. For post-menopausal women, any day of the month is OK to examine ones own breasts but must be done atleast once a month

• When should you start doing a monthly BSE? You can start as early as thirty years of age

What steps should I take if I find a lump?

Please do not panic if you find a lump during your breast self-examination. A swelling or some changes in the breast does not always mean cancer.

However, if you find a breast lump, you should visit your doctor or a breast specialist for a breast exam to be on the safe side. Your doctor may also recommend a mammogram or other imaging tests to determine if the lump is benign or cancerous. Early detection of breast cancer can increase the chances of survival.

Mumbai’s proficient breast cancer surgeon Dr. Garvit Chitkara says that breast cancer can be detected either via screening mammography or a clinical breast examination. Mammography can detect cancer earlier than a clinical breast examination and is thus recommended as a screening method. If suspicious results occur on a mammogram, a biopsy is performed to confirm the diagnosis.

Once breast cancer is confirmed, the next step is to determine the stage of the disease, which helps guide treatment. Breast cancer is usually treated with surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy.

Conclusion

You can keep your breasts healthy and find early signs by performing breast self-exam regularly. The steps of a breast inspection can be incorporated into your daily routine, like when you prepare to retire for the night or while taking a shower.

You will get to know your body better with each breast self-exam. Knowing what is typical for you will help you recognize changes as they happen. This can help you catch any problems early. So do not wait—do a BSE today!

If you find anything unusual, do not panic. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Garvit Chitkara. With more than 15 years of medical expertise, Dr. Garvit Chitkara is one of the preferred breast oncosurgeons in Mumbai.