by Lisa F. Baron, M.D., Chief of Mammography, Hollings Mammography Center

Each year, thousands of women find lumps in their breasts.

For many, the discovery of a lump is followed by a fear of breast cancer. Although such concern is natural, the good news is that most breast lumps are not cancer.

Discovering a lump is not cause for alarm, but a signal to have it checked out.

A monthly breast self-examination (BSE) takes only five minutes to perform and could save your life from breast cancer. It is easy, free, safe and painless.

The BSE is one of the three important steps in breast cancer screening which includes monthly self-breast examination along with yearly breast examination by a health care provider and yearly mammograms beginning at age 40. It is important to perform the SBE on a regular basis since the more you do it the better you will be.

Once you understand how your breasts normally feel (even if they are lumpy) you will be able to find a small change that could signify a problem. Thus, you can report the change to your health care provider early. In fact 75 to 90 percent of all breast lumps discovered are first found by the woman herself.

Why should you pay attention to breast cancer screening? Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis in women. About 180,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year in the United States and from 75 to 80 percent of these women will have no risk factor for getting it. Thus, all women need to be considered at risk for breast cancer. The good news is that when breast cancer is found early, most women are successfully treated and are able to continue to lead normal, productive lives.

Many breast cancers are found through routine screening and this is why breast cancer screening is so important. It is also critical that each of us get involved and tell others. The self breast examination involves two parts, inspection (looking at the breast) and palpation (feeling the breast tissue).

The best time to do the BSE is one week after your period when the breasts are least swollen and tender. If you are not having periods, set aside one day of the month to perform the test. It is best to use the same day or date each month. This lessens the chance of forgetting.

Begin with looking at each breast in the mirror. Stand in front of a well lit mirror with your arms at your side. Check for changes in the skin of the breast and nipple, changes in breast size (either a breast becoming larger or smaller), and differences in the shape of the breast.

Next perform these observations with your arms above your head, with your hands firmly on the hips and bowing forward. Check from all angles.

Warning signs to alert your health provider are redness of the skin, the breast skin being pulled inwards, changes in the nipple, enlarging or shrinkage of the breast and swelling in the lymph glands. Any change, if new for you, needs to be reported.

While in the shower, place a small amount of soap on your fingers. With your opposite hand, use the pads of your fingers to trace tiny circles (about the size of a dime). Moving clockwise around the entire outside part of the breast work your way around and inward to the nipple. Gently squeeze the nipple and look for any discharge. Be sure to feel below the underarm for any lumps. Repeat the procedure for the other breast. Report any lumps or thickening, nipple discharge or other changes to your health provider.

Finally, lie flat and place a pillow under your shoulder on the side you are examining. This position flattens the breast and makes it easier to examine. Repeat the came circular inspection as in the shower. Report any lumps or thickening, nipple discharge or other changes to your health provider.

You should notify your health provider, if you detect any changes or lumps, even if your last mammogram was normal. Ironically sometimes a lump may be felt yet not detected on the mammogram.

If you have further questions concerning breast self-examination call the Hollings Cancer Center Health Connection at (843) 792-1414 or the Hollings Mammography Center at (843) 792-1999.