Dr. Hilary Jones is back on TV to show viewers, especially women, how to perform breast self-exam. This time, he's brought on a volunteer who willingly exposed her breasts so others may really learn.
According to Daily Mail UK news on Monday, October 14, Dr. Jones appeared on ITV's Lorraine to again explain how to perform breast self-examination, which he believes many women can't get right. Thus, they still remain at risk of not finding potential breast cancer in its earliest stage.
Using a volunteer who was naked from the waist up, he explained that a correct exam must be performed in minutes, not in seconds. Moreover, it's very important that women should be able to take note of changes on her breasts, such as dimpling, which may be a sign that something is pulling the skin right inside the breast. He also advised women to wait a week after menstruation before doing the exam as the hormone changes can affect the breasts. Before and during menstruation, it's common for women to develop breasts that are tender to touch.
He also advised women to become more familiar with the breasts, as breasts can come in different texture, size, and shape. For instance, younger women tend to have firmer and softer breasts than those who are already in their menopause. He refers to this process as determining your normal breasts. This way, you can correctly identify some notable changes.
During the show, he also shared a guide to proper breast self-exam, which includes standing with one hand on the hip. In your mind, picture dividing lines running across your breasts, such as across and through the nipples, underneath the armpits, and a line that runs from the breast to the collarbone. Then using the pads of the three middle fingers, start gently but firmly pressing on each of these grids. Start feeling on the upper part of the breast, then pressing deeper.