Marla Ahlgrimm: Self-Breast Exams Are Important

Aggressive breast cancer directly affects more than one in eight women in the United States. Unfortunately, without early detection, prognosis is often dismal. But, Marla Ahlgrimm says that women can increase their chances of early detection by simply performing a self breast exam. 

 

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, a self-breast exam begins by looking in the mirror. Expose both breasts in their entirety and look for any unusual shape, size, or color changes. Next, lift your arms above your head, clasping your fingers together. Aside from visible changes here, you’ll also want to look for any type of discharge if you are not actively nursing. 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that the next step in a self-breast exam is to lay down on the bed flat on your back with one arm resting behind your head. You will then want to firmly move your fingers across the breast that corresponds with this arm to feel for any changes not visible. This might be a lump, dip, or a soft spot. 

 

The final step in a self-breast examination is to repeat the physical exam while standing up, alternating arms above your head. It is easiest to do this in the shower when the body is wet. 

Marla Ahlgrimm says that not all changes are breast cancer. She explains that many women develop lumpy areas naturally over time, and even what feels like a mass in the breasts may be the result of an injury. However, it is important to contact your health care provider immediately for an in-office exam. Your doctor may advise you to perform the exam again if it coincides with your period. 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm suggests that all women over the age of 40 perform a routine breast exam once each month. While it might seem like an unnecessary hassle, it is a small action you can take to put yourself in a better position to seek treatment early and, ideally, find yourself in remission.