Breast examination; This is how you check your breasts

Breasts come in all shapes and sizes. Some breasts are large and noticeable, others small and modest. This way your breasts can stand up or they can hang a little more.

Do you know your breasts? By regularly examining your breasts yourself, you get to know them well. Read here why this is so important and how to do this properly and easily!

If you live in the Netherlands, you will receive an invitation for a national breast examination every two years. You will receive the first invitation between the ages of 49 and 52. This is a voluntary examination in which your breasts are carefully checked. Besides that, it is also important to keep a close eye on your breasts. It is good to get to know your breasts and examine them properly when you are younger. You can do this yourself and we will be happy to explain how.

It is important to be able to recognize changes in your breast. By checking your breasts regularly, you learn what your breasts normally look and feel like. This makes it easier to notice change. There are many more symptoms of breast cancer than just feeling a lump. If you check your breasts regularly, you can notice certain abnormalities earlier.

1 in 7 women in the Netherlands gets breast cancer. It is therefore very valuable to recognize a symptom of breast cancer early. This way you can quickly raise the alarm. The sooner breast cancer treatment starts, the better.

A change in your breast does not necessarily have to be a cause for concern. Your breasts can change during each period. For example, due to your period or pregnancy. For example, during your period your breasts may be more painful or sensitive and may look slightly different. In general, these are normal changes, so harmless. But it's good to stay alert. By examining your breasts regularly, you can see more quickly whether changes are different than before.

Do you see or feel something strange or are you unsure about a lump in your breast? Always visit your doctor. Your GP can monitor you and refer you if necessary.

Many symptoms of breast cancer can only be seen and not felt. Feeling is of course very important; This way you get to know your breasts better. The best way to examine your breast is by feeling and looking.

You can easily and regularly look at your breasts.

How do you do that?

Stand in front of the mirror and relax your arms at your sides. Look carefully at your breasts. Do your breasts look normal? or do you see a change compared to previous times? Pay close attention to your nipple, skin and the shape of your breasts. It is also important to see if you see any changes in your armpit. For example a thickening. Take your time with this. It can be useful to write down what your breasts look like, so that you can compare this the next time you have a breast examination. You can also take a photo of your breasts, for example. This way you have a good visual image to compare with.

Looking closely at your breasts is the most important. But feeling is also very important. You can feel your breasts while sitting, standing or lying down. Find a position that is relaxing for you.

To feel your breasts:

• Mentally divide your chest into a circle with four even pieces
• Place your left hand on your right chest and place your right hand on the back of your neck.
• Now examine the four parts of your chest. For example, if you think of the chest as a clock, start with the part between 12 and 3. Then you go to the part between 3 and 6, and so on.
• Examine your breast by making circular movements with the flat of your hand from the outside of your breast to your nipple. Maintain light pressure. Calmly remove all four 'cake pieces' from your chest.
• Also examine the nipple with these circular movements. Then pull the nipple slightly away from the body to check whether the nipple moves easily. This should easily give a little.
• Finally, use the same circular movements to examine your armpit and the area between your armpit and your chest.
• Then repeat this on your other breast.

1. A hardening or thickening;
2. A dent in the chest;
3. Skin rash or changing skin;
4. Redness or warmth;
5. Nipple fluid (watery, milky or sometimes bloody);
6. Dimples or pits;
7. A lump or bump on the chest;
8. One or more swollen veins;
9. An inverted nipple (unless you always have this);
10. Asymmetry or a changing shape or size;
11. An orange peel (flaky and bumpy);
12. A lump in the breast.
13. Swelling in the armpit
14. Thick vein in the chest

Examining your own breasts consists of two parts. Looking at and feeling. But when is the best time to do this? It is best to do this check a week after your period. A week after your period, your breasts will no longer be as swollen. Your breasts will also be less sensitive. That is why this is a good time to do a breast examination on yourself.

Do you notice a change or abnormality in your breasts? Then it is important to contact your doctor immediately. If necessary, he/she will refer you!

You can contact us if:

• in case of a change or one of the above symptoms of breast cancer;
• if there is a high incidence of breast cancer in your family;
• if you have any doubts.

Better one bell too many than one bell too few!