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How to do breast exams ?

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Georgia59 Especially eHealthy
March 21st, 2008
So I know a few things about breast exams. I know you're supposed to do them at the same time in your cycle each month because your breasts change throughout your cycle. And I know the general motion and technique.

But I don't really know what I'm doing at all. I was in the gyno a few weeks ago and she was checkin em out, feelin me up like they do, and told me I have dense breast tissue. She had me feel, and yes, I agree, they feel dense and lumpy. They've always felt like that. Which leads me to the question: How will I know when I have a lump? She told me that I should do self-checks often because I'll know the "terrain" better than a doctor would. But I really just don't know what I'm supposed to feel. It just always feels lumpy.

Any hints? Confused
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PenguinsRus
replied March 22nd, 2008
Extremely eHealthy
It's hard to know exactly what to look for if you never examined yourself before. Basically, the first few times is more to get to know your breasts than it is to look for something bad. My doctor told me I should keep a journal or make a chart of what it feels like. That way I know where a lump is one month and I can make sure no new ones come up or none of them become larger. It may be harder if you have tons of lumps in your breasts to keep track, but even if you just chart the larger ones/ones you notice the most it would make it easier. Also you're supposed to do it after you have your period so your breasts aren't as sore and enlarged and the genuine lumps would be easier to feel.
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