breast exams

How many times a month should one do a breast exam. I have heard that everyday is good, but I don't like to do that because it makes my breast sore. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear candywoman, There are usually some normal variations in the breast exam throughout the month.  So it is usually recommended to choose one day during the month at about the same time of the month to perform self breast exam.

[Heatherly]

My Dr. dosen't even recommend anything other than a good breast check routine in office. He says and belives that overchecking will make you crazy because you will always *find* something.
I think that knowing your breasts and having a self check every 3 months or so is enough. I tend to believe him.

[japdip]

The recommendation is once a month.This is from ACS and Susan G. Komen Foundation and is usually accepted practice with most physicians.

[jack60]

It is the recommendation that every woman should do a self breast exam.   If done properly, there should be no pain, even after the exam.

The proper ways to do it, is to have some body cream and add some natural oil in the cream and mix the two together as it will glide easier for the exam and not cause any burn on your skin.   Lay down on a bed so that it will spead your breasts evenly on you which makes it easier for the exam and use the cream to apply on all parts of your breasts.   Do one breast at the time.   Raise your arm up which your breast you are checking, the one you want to do the test / exam.   You must use two fingers( do not point your fingers in, use the pads of your fingers) and move them in a rotation form and from the time you start each breast to the finish, do not remove them until the complete search of each breast is done.   This way, you will not miss any section of your breasts.

This way, you will always be sure if you have any problems or not and if you do, contact your physician immediately.

Good Luck

[troyryans]

I routinely do a self-breast exam once a month, normally three days after the last day of my period. I also have office breast checks at least two to three times a year (OB/GYN, breast surgeon and/or oncologist).  Two of my previous lumps were detected during self-breast exams, including one that I found shortly after my annual mammogram and doctor's exam...to have waited until the next visit and be faced with a potentially larger problem makes me shudder.