BREAST SELF EXAM
With both arms relaxed on the side
 Sensations of tenderness, lumpiness of
pain, pre-menstural swelling= before
mensturation
 Monthly breast examination is the best
for indicating breast cancer
 Develop a habit of doing BSE
 Especially to those who are at high risk
of breast cancer (i.e. family with history
of BC)
 Must be performed every month of the
same day
 Only inspection and palpation
 Explain the procedure, the importance
 When inspecting, instruct the client to
stand in front of the mirror.
1.
2. Both arms stretched above her
head
3. Hands placed on the hips
 Normal: size and symmetry is not the
same
 But if you notice that changes
happened
 Take note of the size- rounded or
pengulus
 Down= pointed breast
 Focal or unilateral= meaning increased
blood supply due to tumor
 Skin dimpling or retraction (there is
mass pulling inwards)= not normal
 Skin edema= observed as thickened skin
with enlarged pores (not normal)
indicate black lymphatic drainage due
to tumor
 Long standing inversion nipple is normal
 Note any deviation, flattening
broadening of nipple
 Take note of discharges
 Inverted nipple- nipple is inward
 Everted- outward

PALPATION
 Some people do it in the shower
 Use different pressure levels when
palpating
 Three
 Light, medium, firm
 Light- feel tissue closest to the skin. Use
finger pads
 Medium- same side to feel deeper
 Firm- closest to the chest and ribs
 Note: use all pressure before moving to
the next

 Patterns and palpation

 Do each pattern 3 times for different
pressure levels
 Circle- move around the breast towards
the nipple
 Wedges- towards the nipple and back
to the edge. Be sure to check the
underarm and upper chest For the vid
 Lines- vertical lines. Start in the
underarm area and move finger  Show the different positions
downward until below the breast. Move  Inspection
towards the middle and slowly move
back up until you cover the whole area
 Note: check also the breast to the
collarbone
 Recorded simulation next week
 Small balloon
 Everything we need to know in the
examination should be in the video
 5 mins for video presentation max of
10mins intro-feedback