Breast self-examination in five steps

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Cameroon. Too often, it is discovered at an advanced stage, when treatment is longer, harder and less likely to succeed. As Octobre Rose, the month dedicated to the fight against breast cancer, is about to begin, we invite every woman to adopt a simple habit that takes only a few minutes a month: breast self-examination.

Our oncology team has long warned about late diagnosis:

“We have noticed that people are slow to get screened. And very often, they wait until the disease is at an advanced stage before rushing to health facilities.”

— Prof. Esther Meka, Head of Gynaecological and Paediatric Oncology at YGOPH, during Octobre Rose 2022 (translated from French)

When to examine your breasts

• once a month, a few days after the end of your period, when your breasts are least tender;
• if you no longer have periods, on the same date each month;
• from your twenties onwards, throughout your life.

The five steps

1. Look in the mirror. Stand with your shoulders straight and your hands on your hips. Look at the size, shape and colour of your breasts. Check for any dimpling, puckering or bulging of the skin, a nipple that has changed position or turned inwards, and any redness, rash or swelling.
2. Raise your arms. Lift your arms above your head and look for the same changes.
3. Check your nipples. Look for any fluid coming from one or both nipples, whether watery, milky, yellowish or bloody, when you are not breastfeeding.
4. Feel your breasts lying down. Lie on your back. Use your right hand to examine your left breast, and your left hand for your right breast. Keeping your fingers flat and together, press with the pads of your fingers in small circular movements, using light, then medium, then firm pressure. Cover the whole breast, from the collarbone to the top of the abdomen and from the armpit to the middle of the chest, following a regular pattern such as up-and-down lines.
5. Feel your breasts standing or sitting. Repeat the examination while standing or sitting, for example in the shower when your skin is wet and slippery. Do not forget to feel your armpits.

What to report

See a doctor if you notice:

• a lump or thickening in the breast or armpit;
• a change in the size or shape of a breast;
• dimpling of the skin, or skin that looks like orange peel;
• a nipple that has turned inwards, or a rash or crusting around the nipple;
• discharge from the nipple, especially if it contains blood;
• persistent pain in one part of the breast.

Don’t panic: most breast lumps are not cancer. But every change must be checked by a health professional, and the sooner the better.

Self-examination is not enough on its own

Knowing your breasts helps you to spot changes early, but it does not replace a clinical breast examination by a doctor or midwife, or imaging when it is recommended. Screening mammography is generally advised from the age of 40, or earlier if you have a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors. Your doctor will advise you.

How YGOPH can help

Our teams offer a complete pathway for breast health:

• clinical breast examination and advice during gynaecology consultations;
• mammography and breast ultrasound in our radiology department;
• fine-needle aspiration of lumps on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with results in about two days;
• biopsies analysed by our own pathology laboratory;
• surgery and follow-up by our gynaecological and paediatric oncology service, operational since 2022.

This Octobre Rose, examine your breasts every month and book a breast check if you notice any change or have never had one. Follow our events page for awareness and screening activities, call (+237) 670 607 278, and share these five steps with the women around you.

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