• Prepare For Your First Visit
• How To Get Here

• Make An Appointment
• Early Detection
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Remodelling
• After Surgery

• Screening Mammography
• Breast Familiarity/Self Exam

Breast Familiarity & Self Examination

Breast familiarity refers to monitoring the way your breasts look and feel. You can do this by paying attention to changes in or on your breasts, such as:

• Development of a lump
• Irregular thickening of breast tissue
• Nipple discharge
• Skin changes, such as dimpling or retraction of the nipple
• The above process may also be referred to as Breast Self-Examination (BSE)

When to perform breast self-exams

It is not unusual for women to experience changes in their breast tissue every month. This tissue responds to the changes in hormone levels that occur during the menstrual cycle. These changes in hormone levels may cause your breasts to swell. With the menstrual flow, the swelling decreases and the breasts return to their normal size. Because of this cycle, the best time for you to examine your breasts is about one week after the start of your period. That's when your breasts are less likely to be tender or swollen. During pregnancy and nursing, your breasts may feel lumpier than usual.