Breast cancer is one of the major growing concerns with one in every 30 women getting it. Awareness about the disease is very less though. Experts say that early detection could increase 90% of its chances of being cured.

Here are simple steps in which you can examine your breast and rule out cancer.

Step 1: Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips. Here's what you should look for:

• If the breasts are their usual size, shape, and colour
• Whether breasts are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling.

If you see any of the following changes, bring them to your doctor's attention:

• Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin 
• A nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out)
• Redness, soreness, rash, or swelling

Step 2: Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes.

Step 3: While you're at the mirror, gently squeeze each nipple between your finger and thumb and check for nipple discharge (this could be a milky or yellow fluid or blood).

Step 4: Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few fingers of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side-from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage.

Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast. You can begin at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast. You can also move your fingers up and down vertically, in rows.

Be sure to feel all the breast tissue: just beneath your skin with a soft touch and down deeper with a firmer touch. Begin examining each area with a very soft touch, and then increase pressure so that you can feel the deeper tissue, down to your ribcage.

Step 5: Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in Step 4.

Follow these steps and self examine your breast today! Don't delay it. It is better to be safe than sorry.

MUST GO FRO ONE ANNUAL CHECKUP BY GYNAECOLOGIST TOO.

DR. SHARDA JAIN / DR. JYOTI AGGARWAL
DR. RASHMI JAIN / DR. INDU TYAGI