How to Make Yourself Do a Breast Exam

Do you do your monthly self-exam like a good girl? Remember that famous road to hell?  What was it paved with? 

Like many of us, you may be in the well-intentioned category of very intelligent women who truly understand the importance of doing the exam. You probably urge it on others. Yet somehow, you just don’t find the time. In honor of the women who valiantly fight the disease, let’s all get in the habit.  

Acknowledge your avoidance. Get real about the fact that you’re endangering yourself. Forgive yourself, then set it aside and vow to change.  

Discern fears. Ask yourself what the real hold up is.  Are you superstitious, worrying you may bring cancer on by trying to detect it? Do you doubt your ability to recognize a bump from regular old lumpy breast tissue, so why bother? Do you procrastinate about everything in life and this is no exception? Try to get a handle on your particular hangup.

Get expert advice. Visit a website or talk to your gynie.

Get a brochure, clip an article, print a visual reference.  Use this guide to familiarize yourself with the process.

Mark your calendar. Like any hated chore, you gotta book it if you want to get it done. Flip through your calendar for the next few months. Write it down.  Do it after your period when you’re not swollen.

Choose a place for your self-exam. Good habits build through repetition. Better habits build through well-considered analysis. Which place feels best intuitively? You won’t do it if it’s too difficult. Some women like the shower because the water’s slip helps their hand glide more easily. Some women find sitting up in bed while watching TV a relaxing, calming position.  Wherever you choose, put your visual reference (see above) nearby.

Talk to a friend or family member who’s fought breast cancer. She’s a great resource for tips and encouragement. Tell her you’re just getting started. Don’t worry about bringing up the disease because you think you’ll ‘make her think about it.’ Duh.  She’s been thinking about it a long time; it’s not news.  She’s also far tougher than you.  She’d be delighted to share her hard-won wisdom.

Enlist a friend and be accountable to each other. Agree that you both need to change. Report to each other when you’ve done your exam monthly.  Pick a control freak/organizing type for best results. 

What should I look/feel for? Any changes whatsoever. Monitor. Do a visual mirror check as well, looking for any changes in symmetry, indentations, dimply or changes to nipples.