Today, within the framework of World Day to Fight Breast Cancerthe call for early detection and timely care of this disease, which represents the leading cause of death from malignant tumors in women, is renewed in Mexico.
In this context, breast self-examination is positioned as a key self-care tool which, although it does not replace other clinical tests such as mammography, allows you to become familiar with your own body and detect warning signs.
It is important that every woman aged 20 or over in the country knows the technique of breast self-examination, while it is also recommended from the age of 25 onwards. a clinical examination of the breast and, from 40 to 69 years of age, screening with mammography, if it has not been done previously.
How to do a breast self-examination?
This October 19, the promotion of regular personal review habits and consultation with health services in the event of any suspicious change becomes relevant. The breast self-examination technique may vary slightly depending on the source, but in Mexico it is recommended to follow the following basic steps:
- Visual inspection in front of the mirror: Stand with your arms at your sides and look at your breasts. Check shape, size, skin, nipples; then raise your arms and observe again, looking for asymmetries, dimples, changes in texture or any discharge.
- In the shower or with wet skin: With the right arm raised behind the head, the left hand palpates the right breast (and the same inverted) from the outside towards the nipple, including the armpit.
- Lying palpation: Lie down with a pillow or towel under your right shoulder, right arm behind your head; With the left hand, palpate the right breast in circular movements covering the entire area (including the armpit) and lightly press the nipple to see if there is discharge; then repeat to the left side.
- Periodic monthly review: Perform this procedure once a month, preferably 7 days after the start of your menstrual period, or on the same day each month if you no longer menstruate.
- Pay attention to warning signs: If you find lumps, fixed nodules, changes in skin color or texture, nipple retraction, abnormal discharge or persistent pain, see a health professional immediately.
Although some guides indicate a variable number of “steps”, the essential thing is that self-examination is carried out regularly and completelyincluding the armpits, in addition to being combined with other detection strategies according to age and personal conditions.
Mexican context
The Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) indicates that when the disease is diagnosed in an early stage, 5-year survival is greater than 90%while in metastatic stages this figure drops to less than 30 percent.
For this reason, awareness campaigns around October 19 insist on the importance of women knowing their bodies, and knowing and acting on warning signs.
