Breast cancer: the right gestures for an effective self-examination

Published on 11/01/2024 05:08

While regular visits to a gynecologist or doctor are essential for diagnosing cancer at an early stage, regular self-examination - also known as self-examination - also allows one to detect anomaly, and report it to his doctor.

Every year, nearly 48,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in France. If 75 to 80% of women recover, 12,000 die as a result of their illness.

That's why each year, the month of October, renamed "Pink October", is dedicated to the prevention and awareness of breast cancer.

Simple screening procedures to practice yourself

Among the actions to fight against the disease, the Montpellier Institute of Breast, in partnership with ADREA Mutual and Montpellier Queen have joined forces around the action "Track your girlfriends" *, presented on the website of the same name.

The concept invites women to mobilize, alone or between girlfriends, and to be screened regularly. By registering on the site, they are also committed to learning the gestures of self-examination to better know their body and become at the same time ambassadress of the movement.

For self-examination to be effective, it is advisable to practice it monthly, at the same time, in addition to the annual visit to the gynecologist.

Step by step for effective breast self-examination

Christophe Coudouy has made small detailed illustrations of the process to see more clearly.

First of all, you have to stand up in front of an ice cream, with your arms in the air.

By gently patting your breast, it will be necessary to identify if there is an abnormality on the nipple. This may be a discharge, a wrinkle on the skin, a persistent redness, a hard zone or a ball.

Once this step has been completed, the self-examination continues in a standing or lying position.

Lay your fingers flat and palpate each quadrant breast per quadrant (as shown in the drawing below, steps 1 to 4), then the nipple (5), and finally the armpit (following drawing).

If you notice an abnormality, do not give in to panic: most of these are not related to cancer and are benign. Contact your doctor who will determine if these changes are suspicious or normal.

* www.depistetescopines.com/