Healthy Bodies, Healthy Breasts is program of the Allen Neighborhood Center, to return to the ANC homepage, click here.

Home | Risk Factors | Early Detection | Breast Cancer | Fighting Back | Allen Neighborhood Center

 

Breast Self-Exams (BSE)
 While we know that doing a self-exam can be a bit nerve-wracking, it is important for you to know that the vast majority (over 80%) of lumps found during self exams are not cancerous. One of the most important parts about BSE is becoming familiar with our breasts so that we will be able to quickly detect any changes or abnormalities.

It is generally agreed that women should start doing self exams by about age 20. The best time to do a BSE is right after your menstrual period has ended when your breasts are still tender. If you no longer get your period, it should be performed at the same day each month...so just pick a date and stick with it.

While many women have an idea on how to perform a BSE, it is important to know how to do it properly. Here is a link to an instructional video to help you learn the proper technique for BSEs. http://www.komen.org/bse

It is important to remember that some women have naturally lumpy breasts. That is why it is so important to know your own breasts so you can see any changes.

Clinical Breast Exam
 A clinical breast exam is an exam performed by a trained professional. A clinical exam may be able to detect lumps before you would find them during a self-exam. A thorough exam takes about 10 minutes. A woman should start getting clincial breast exams when she is about 20 years, and get one every 3 years, and then annually after age 40.

Some of us may be uninsured and therefore may not get clinical breast or cervical exams. But there are options for uninsured women in the Lansing area, such as: Ingham Health Plan, Planned Parenthood, and the Women's Clinic at the Ingham Health Department. Contact the Health Team at 517-367-2468 if you would like assistance in obtaining health coverage (such as the Ingham Health Plan ) or health services.

Mammogram
Mammograms are X-rays of the breast. Each breast is compressed between two plates and an x-ray image is made. It takes about 15 minutes for the entire procedure.

Women are recommended to get annual mammograms starting at the age of 40. Mammograms can detect breast cancer far before self-exams and clinical exams can, and when breast cancer is caught in its earliest stage, 95% of women are healthy and disease free after 5 years.

While some women find mammograms to be unpleasant, we have found some tips that help make the experience more pleasant: taking a tylenol or ibuprofen about an hour before the appointment and planning on doing something fun afterwards can help make the day better.

What happens if a lump or abnormality is found?
If a lump or abnormality is found , a diagnostic mammorgram is usually ordered, which is different than a routine screening mammogram, because it involves additional X-ray views from different angles and/or special magnification. Depending on the results, additional breast imagning, like an ultrasound, may be ordered. Depending on the results of the mammogram and additional imaging tests, a breast biopsy may be performed.

A biopsy involves removing a sample of breast tissue and examining it under a microscope to determine whether cancer cells are present. Sometimes, a biopsy will be performed even if breast-imaging tests are normal. This usually happens when the physician suspects that the breast lump is suspicious regardless of the results of the imaging tests.

For more information about breast cancer and treatment options, visit the breast cancer information page .

 

Healthy Bodies, Health Breasts is funded by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation .