Implementing BSE for Early Detection of Breast Cancer

BSE (Examine Your Own Breasts)

BSE is done by feeling and looking at your own breasts to see possible physical changes in the breasts. This process is carried out so that all changes that lead to more serious conditions can be detected as early as possible. In general, breasts will feel different when a woman is menstruating. Before and during this period, most women feel their breasts become increasingly firm and dense. Entering menopause, the breasts will also experience changes, namely becoming looser and softer. Changes in breast shape and density at certain times are normal. However, being aware of any changes that occur is important because they can be a sign of certain diseases, such as tumors or breast cancer. Therefore, women need to carry out a breast self-examination (BSE) once every month, to determine whether there is a change in breast shape over time.

How to Do BSE (Examine Your Own Breasts)

The best time to do BSE is a week after the menstrual period ends. Carrying out examinations during menstruation is not recommended because hormone levels fluctuate, causing changes in the body, including the breasts becoming firmer.

BSE examination can be carried out in several ways, namely:

• In front of the mirror, mothers can do BSE. Mother simply stands in front of the mirror and undresses from the waist up. Make sure the lighting in the room is bright enough, then do the following steps:

1. 1. Pay attention to the breasts. Most women have breasts that are not the same size (the right breast is bigger or smaller than the left).
   2. Stand with your arms straight down. Pay attention to the shape, size, surface and color of the skin, as well as the shape of the nipples. See if there is a change or not.
   3. Place your hands on your waist and press firmly to tighten your chest muscles. Look at your breasts while looking in the mirror from left to right and vice versa.
   4. Bend over in front of the mirror, so that your breasts stick out. Pay attention and feel to check whether there are certain changes in the breasts.
   5. Link both hands behind your head and press inward. Pay attention to both of your breasts, including the bottom.
   6. Check whether there is fluid coming out of the nipple. Place your thumb and index finger around the nipple, then press gently and see if any fluid comes out. Repeat on the other breast.

• While showering. Mothers can also do BSE while bathing, the method is:

1. 1. Raise one hand behind your head. Then, use the other hand that has been smeared with soap to feel the breast on the side of the raised hand. Use your fingers to gently press part by part.
   2. Do the same thing on the other breast. BSE examination while showering is quite effective because the soap foam will make it easier to move your hands to check for lumps or changes in the breasts and armpit area.

• Lie down. The BSE examination can also be done lying down. The method is easy, namely:

1. 1. Just lay the mother’s body on the bed or other comfortable flat surface, then place a rolled towel or small pillow under her shoulders. Then, place your right hand under your head. Lubricate your left hand with lotion and use your fingers to feel your right breast.
   2. Feel the breasts in a clockwise direction in a circular motion. After reaching one circle, slide your finger and start again until the entire surface of the breast is touched, including the nipple.
   3. There is no need to rush when carrying out the inspection. Make sure all surfaces of the breast have been palpated carefully. The BSE examination by lying down makes the breasts widen, making it easier to examine.

During and after carrying out a BSE examination, the mother must remain calm if she finds any changes in the breasts. Although you must remain alert, most physical changes do not lead to breast cancer.

Steps to take if there are changes in the breasts

If you find a lump or change in your breast, don’t panic because this can be caused by many things. Most cases do not lead to serious disease. Of the 10 cases, only 1 case of the lump was cancerous. However, you still have to immediately have any changes checked by a doctor, so that you can immediately get the right treatment if it is indeed cancer.

Some signs that you need to immediately see a doctor after doing BSE are:

1. A hard lump in the breast or armpit.
2. You can see changes on the surface of the breast skin, such as the skin becoming wrinkled or having depressions.
3. Visible changes in the size and shape of the breasts, especially when the mother lifts the breasts or moves her arms.
4. There is fluid coming out of the nipples, but it is not breast milk.
5. Bleeding from the nipple.
6. There are parts of the nipple that become red and moist, and never change to their original state.
7. The nipple changes shape, for example turning inward.
8. There is a rash around the nipples.
9. There is ongoing pain or discomfort in the breasts.

Clinical breast examination is also needed to determine whether lumps and causes of changes in the breast are early signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Examinations that can be carried out by doctors include physical examinations and supporting examinations, such as mammograms, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound. If the examination results show a suspicion of cancer, the doctor may recommend a biopsy.

Breast self-examination or BSE should be done from the age of 20 years and more frequent examinations are needed if the mother is 50 years or older or if there is a history of breast cancer in the family. Examinations to detect potential cancer also need to be carried out regularly so that abnormalities in the breast can be identified early.