Of the 10 changes in the mammary gland, the women themselves find the women themselves, since no one knows the condition of their mammary glands better than them.
Of course, we are talking about women who have mastered the methodology of self -examination - the simplest and most affordable way to find malfunctions in the chest in time.
The examination is best carried out on the same day of the menstrual cycle, since during the month changes in the size and structure of the breast occur. The most suitable time is 5-6 days from the beginning of menstruation, when the mammary gland is in a relaxed state, and when menopause, on the same day of each calendar month.
Carry out the examination monthly, but not more often - otherwise the changes can be too insignificant every time that you notice them. Carry out an examination in good light. Starting to self -examination, try to calm down and relax. Treat this as an ordinary hygienic procedure. Remember that most of the changes found in the mammary gland are benign.
The examination consists of 6 stages, but with a correct and consistent organization, it takes a little time.
The first stage:Inspection of underwear. Minor discharge from the nipple can remain unnoticed on its surface, but leave traces on the bra. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully examine the bra: whether there are no signs of discharge from the nipple in the form of bloody, brown, greenish or yellowish spots, crusts.
The second stage:General view of the glands. D undress to the waist, stand in front of the mirror. Lower your hands freely. Carefully examine each chest in the mirror. Check if there are any changes in the size, shape, contours of the chest (one breast can be a little more, this is normal). Pay attention to the symmetry of both glands, whether the glands are located at the same level, whether they move evenly when raising and establishing hands behind the head, tilments, turns to the right and left. Is there any fixation or displacement of one of the glands to the side? (Fig. 1).
Raise your hands in front of the mirror up. Again, examine the mammary glands in turn, paying attention to their shift up, or down; a change in the form with the formation of elevation, tramples, retracting the skin or nipple; The appearance of drops of fluid from the nipple with these actions (Fig. 2).
The third stage:skin condition. Is the skin elastic, is it going well in the fold? Whether the color changes, the presence of redness of the entire surface or individual sections, rash, diaper rash, changes, resembling a “lemon crust” are noted. Check if there are seals, swelling, dimples or tubercles, retraction, ulceration and wrinkle of the skin. Do not take the breast tissue in the fold between the fingers, since due to its lobed structure, an erroneous impression of a tumor seal can be created.
Fourth stage:Feeling in a standing position. This stage is convenient to carry out during washing in the bathroom. The soapy fingers will help to feel the mammary glands. If the examination is carried out in the room, it is recommended to use lotion or cream. With your right hand, examine the left breasts, and the left with the right. Palpation is carried out by pillows, and not with your fingertips, four or three closed fingers, circular penetrating springy movements. The thumb does not participate in palpation. With large sizes of the gland, the opposite hand supports it. Initially, the so-called survey and acquaintance is carried out, when the fingertips do not penetrate into the thickness of the gland, which makes it possible to identify small formations located directly under the skin. Then a deep palpation is carried out when the fingertips pillows are sequentially gradually reach the ribs. Palpation should be carried out from the collarbone to the lower edge of the ribs and from the sternum to the axillary line, including the axillary region, where the detection of enlarged lymph nodes is possible (Fig. 3).
Fifth stage:Feeling in a lying position. This is the most important part of the self -test, because only in this way can you feel all the fabrics well. At the same time, they note what the mammary glands are to the touch under the fingers and remember these sensations. Palpation is carried out, lying on a relatively solid, flat surface; You can put a roller or a hard pillow under the iron, stretch your hand along the body or run behind the head (Fig. 4).
Two palpation methods are proposed: the square method, when the entire surface of the front chest wall from the clavicle to the rib edge and the mammary gland are mentally divided into small squares. Feeling is carried out sequentially in each square from top to bottom, as it were, along the steps (Fig. 5).
The spiral method when probing the mammary gland is carried out in a spiral in the form of concentrically converging circles, starting from the armpit to the nipple. Finger pads make circular movements, moving in the direction of the nipple (Fig. 6).
Sixth stage:Surgery of the nipple. When examining the nipples, it is necessary to determine if there are changes in their shape and color, whether they are drawn, whether they are wet, if there are ulcerations or cracks. It is necessary to probe a nipple and a sucker area, since there may be a tumor under the nipple. This zone in women is quite sensitive and in some is accompanied by erotic or unpleasant sensations. In conclusion, you need to carefully take the nipple with the thumb and forefinger and press on it, while noting the nature of the discharge from it or their absence (Fig. 7).
If you believe that from the moment of the last inspection there have been noticeable changes, you must immediately consult a doctor. Of course, a woman should never try to diagnose herself, and even more so to prescribe treatment. To distinguish Cancer from different forms of mastopathy only to a specialist. Even a malignant tumor can be defeated by starting treatment at an early stage. Do not postpone a visit to the doctor later, remember that your life may depend on this.
