October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a global campaign to highlight one of the most pressing health concerns for women.It is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women and, tragically, also one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the country. Despite medical advancements and increased global awareness, the harsh reality remains: thousands of women in Pakistan lose their lives every year due to late diagnosis, lack of awareness, and limited access to proper treatment.
This is where self-awareness and self-examination play a vital role. A breast self-exam (BSE) is not a substitute for clinical screenings or mammograms, but it is a powerful first step. It helps women become familiar with the normal look and feel of their breasts, so that any unusual changes—whether it’s a lump, swelling, or skin change—can be noticed and acted upon quickly.
Taking just a few minutes once a month to check yourself can mean the difference between early treatment and advanced disease. In a country where awareness is still low and access to healthcare is uneven, empowering women with the knowledge of how to check themselves is one of the most effective weapons we have against breast cancer.
Shocking Statistics
- 1 in 9 women in Pakistan is at risk of developing breast cancer in her lifetime—the highest rate in Asia.
- Over 90,000 new cases are reported annually.
- An estimated 40,000 women die of breast cancer in Pakistan each year.
- The disease affects women as young as 20 years old, although the risk increases with age.
These numbers are more than statistics; they reflect a dire public health emergency that demands immediate attention.
Step 1: Know When to Check
- The best time is 3–5 days after your period starts, when breasts are least likely to be swollen or tender.
- If you don’t have regular periods (e.g., after menopause), choose a fixed day each month (like the 1st).
Step 2: Look in the Mirror
- Stand undressed from the waist up in front of a mirror with your arms at your sides. Then:
- Look for symmetry – both breasts should look similar (though it’s normal if one is slightly larger).
- Check the skin – no dimpling, puckering, or redness.
- Look at the nipples – no sudden changes like turning inward, discharge, or rashes.
- Raise your arms overhead and check again.
Step 3: Feel While Standing or Sitting
This works well in the shower, as wet skin makes it easier.
- Use the pads of your three middle fingers (not fingertips).
- Move in small circular motions around the entire breast.
- Cover the breast from collarbone to ribcage and from armpit to sternum (chest bone).
- Use light pressure for surface tissue, medium pressure for middle tissue, and firm pressure to feel deep tissue near chest and ribs.
- Don’t forget the armpit area (where breast tissue extends).
Step 4: Feel While Lying Down
- Place a pillow under your right shoulder and put your right arm behind your head.
- Use your left hand to examine the right breast (same circular technique).
- Then switch sides.
This position spreads the breast tissue evenly, making it easier to detect lumps.
Step 5: Know What to Look/Feel For
Seek medical advice if you notice:
- A lump or thickening (hard, irregular, and different from surrounding tissue).
- Changes in size, shape, or contour.
- Unexplained pain in one spot.
- Skin changes (dimpling, redness, scaliness).
- Nipple discharge (especially blood-stained).
- Sudden nipple changes (inversion or pulling inwards).
- Swelling in armpit or around collarbone.
Step 6: What to Do If You Find Something
- Don’t panic. Many changes are benign (not cancer).
- Make an appointment with your doctor.
- Keep track of what you felt, when you felt it, and any changes.
Key Takeaways
- Do it once a month.
- Be consistent and compare with your usual breast look/feel.
- Self-exam is NOT a replacement for mammograms. Women over 40 (or earlier if high risk) should follow medical advice on screening.
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