October 19 is World Breast Cancer Day, a date that focuses on the importance of early detection to improve the prognosis and survival of breast cancer cases.
According to the WHO, 670,000 people worldwide died from breast cancer in 2022. And about half of breast cancer cases affect women who have no specific risk factors other than sex and age. That's why it's more important than ever to be able to detect this type of cancer as early as possible.
One of the best ways to detect it in time is through breast self-examination. You may be wondering, how do you do it? Well, today we bring you a guide so you can do it in 5 steps.
It is recommended that women with regular menstruation perform the self-examination between day 7 and 8 of the cycle, since this is when hormone levels have dropped after the menstrual period. In other words, the breasts are in their 'most normal' state. In women with menopause or an irregular cycle, it is recommended to choose a fixed day of each month.
Why avoid the days before and during menstruation
Don't do self-examination on or before your period, as this can be confusing. The most important part of self-examination is the moment when you decide to check your breasts. And during your cycle, breast tissue changes and can make them more swollen, tender or have small lumps.
How to perform a breast self-examination
1. With your arms at your side and relaxed, check to see if any of your breasts are deformed or have changed color. Also, check to see if the skin is excessively rough.
2. Put your hands together behind your head. Check that the lower contour of your breasts is circular, regular, and more or less symmetrical.
3. With one arm behind your head, explore the entire breast using circular movements, starting at the armpit and ending at the nipple. You can self-examine in three ways: in circles from the outside in, moving vertically across your breast, or in horizontal lines.
4. Perform the same movements as above but lying in bed with a pillow under your back.
5. Finish your examination by squeezing the nipple and looking for any abnormal discharge.
According to the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC), one in eight women (12.5%) will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives. This reinforces the importance of early detection. And as we always say, the most important way to end cancer is through research.
We want to remind you that self-examination is vital to prevent the disease. Love your breasts. Look at them, accept them, touch them, love them. Take care of them. In order to detect breast cancer as early as possible.
*You can download our guide here.
According to the WHO, 670,000 people worldwide died from breast cancer in 2022. And about half of breast cancer cases affect women who have no specific risk factors other than sex and age. That's why it's more important than ever to be able to detect this type of cancer as early as possible.
One of the best ways to detect it in time is through breast self-examination. You may be wondering, how do you do it? Well, today we bring you a guide so you can do it in 5 steps.
Breast Self-Exam Guide
When to perform self-examinationIt is recommended that women with regular menstruation perform the self-examination between day 7 and 8 of the cycle, since this is when hormone levels have dropped after the menstrual period. In other words, the breasts are in their 'most normal' state. In women with menopause or an irregular cycle, it is recommended to choose a fixed day of each month.
Why avoid the days before and during menstruation
Don't do self-examination on or before your period, as this can be confusing. The most important part of self-examination is the moment when you decide to check your breasts. And during your cycle, breast tissue changes and can make them more swollen, tender or have small lumps.
How to perform a breast self-examination
1. With your arms at your side and relaxed, check to see if any of your breasts are deformed or have changed color. Also, check to see if the skin is excessively rough.
We want to remind you that self-examination is vital to prevent the disease. Love your breasts. Look at them, accept them, touch them, love them. Take care of them. In order to detect breast cancer as early as possible.
*You can download our guide here.
