The Self-Examination Guide for Beginners

You couldn't have missed it if you've been on social media – the famous Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign is back! Many brands have chosen to communicate on this topic throughout the month, and we're no exception. If you follow us on Instagram (if not, now's the time 😉), you might have come across our post explaining why it's best to use an organic cotton bra for radiation therapy, especially a non-compressive bra.

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Still on the topic of breast cancer prevention, today we'll explain how to perform self-examination. Small disclaimer: we are not doctors and do not claim to have the necessary skills to provide in-depth content on this subject; we are merely sharing some simple and preventive tips. Please consult a healthcare professional if you have any questions on the subject.

Self-examination: What is it for?

Every year, approximately 60,000 women in France are affected by breast cancer. With widespread screening, the survival rate for this cancer is 87%. Early detection significantly improves the success of treatment and reduces the risks of recurrence and complications due to treatment. Please note that some screening actions require a doctor's intervention. Self-examination, on the other hand, is a quick check you can easily perform at home. It is recommended to perform this examination every month after your menstrual period.

Steps of self-examination

Step 1

Even though this examination is called "self-palpation," you will begin this step with a visual examination. This is very important for detecting possible breast cancer. Start by standing upright with your arms at your sides in front of a mirror. Inspect your breasts one by one, checking that you don't notice anything unusual. If there's a problem, you might notice a bulge caused by a mass that raises the skin. You might also notice what's called a skin dimple, a nipple that is more retracted than the other, or a different color.

Step 2

Now you will self-examine. Use three fingers of one hand and make circular movements on your breast, pressing your mammary gland against your chest wall. If you feel something directly during this step, don't panic. It's most often your mammary gland. The important thing is to feel for any lumps under the skin.

Step 3

You can then examine your armpits. While everyone has lymph nodes in this area, the goal is to determine if you feel one that is hard. To do this, position your arms at a 90° angle or fully raised. Make forward movements, always pressing the lymph nodes against the underlying wall. For extra precaution, you can perform the same movement around your collarbones.

Step 4

The final step of this self-examination is to check for any discharge from your nipples. You can do this by checking if you have any stains in your bra. If you don't see anything specific, gently squeeze each nipple to see if anything leaks out.

We can only advise you to get screened as early as possible. Simple and 100% reimbursed, screening should be done every two years from the age of 50. Furthermore, throughout life, especially from the age of 25, a gynecological check-up with palpation by a healthcare professional is recommended once a year.

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