How to do Breast Exams and Detect Breast Cancer Early

I have celebrated victory over breast cancer twice! When I found that first marble-sized “lump” in my left breast in 2004,  I was performing a Breast Self-Exam (BSE) in the shower. Finding that lump changed the course of my life personally and professionally, forever! Learn more in this article.

Of course, I was initially shocked, but I was very grateful that I had found this lump at a relatively early stage.

I want you to have that same confidence. Confidence in knowing what normal breast tissue feels like and what a potentially unhealthy lump may feel like. And now with a new training model called My Breast Friend™, that is totally possible for you.

Did you know that the human exam with touch is the most effective method of finding a lump, detecting breast cancer 56% of the time, while Mammography is only 43% (1).

The Mammacare Method®

The Mammacare Method is the recognized gold standard for performing and teaching clinical and personal breast examination. This system has trained 1,000’s of doctors around the globe for over 30 years.

MammaCare® was developed with grants from the National Cancer Institute  and scientists worldwide.

And now this same system is available to you as My Breast Friend™ Training System. My Breast Friend is the only company licensed to market  the silicone breast models that have trained 1000’s of doctors around the world for over 30 years. 

Size really does matter when it comes to finding a breast cancer lump—the earlier you detect a tumor, the better your chances are for regaining your health. When the cancer is small, less than <1cm (pea sized) and has not spread, the patient’s 15 year survival exceeds 88% (2)!

You Have Nothing to Fear of When It Comes to a Breast Self-Exam (BSE) 

Truth be told, a lot of women are afraid to check their own breasts.. They may be unsure that they would be able to detect a lump or bump on their own or they may be afraid of what they will find.Women have never been properly trained to do a Breast Self-Exam. Yet, according to the American Cancer Society, “The most common symptom of breast cancer is a new lump or mass.” (3)

I am here to tell you that a BSE is very effective. In fact, most women (and especially young women) discover the lump on their own and not through a physical exam by a doctor (4). According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,

Approximately 50% of cases of breast cancer in women 50 years and older and 71% of cases of breast cancer in women younger than 50 years are detected by women themselves. 

The more you know about your own body, the more you develop the skills that can help you make sound decisions.

Wherever you are on the path, performing regular breast self-exams can become second-nature to you.

Do Breast Self-Exams Really Work?

Science supports a woman’s ability to detect a lump the size of a pea, once she is properly trained in performing a BSE. The average size lump found by a woman who is not trained in a BSE, is the size of a ping pong ball (5).

Become Empowered with My Breast Friend™!

This training system comes with the silicone breast model, instruction booklet and instructional video.  There is no guesswork with My Breast Friend™. You will learn to feel the difference between normal nodular breast tissue and a potentially unhealthy lump. As you perform your BSE on a regular basis in a relaxed way, you will learn the normal terrain of your own breast tissue. This helps you to quickly distinguish between regular breast tissue and any abnormalities that may arise.

If you choose mammography, thermography and/or ultrasound, there are 364 days left in the year in which your breast tissue can change. Finding any inconsistencies in your breast tissue at an early stage early gives you the BEST possible chance of a positive outcome.

Breast Self-Exam is a decades old practice. It is time for you to take charge of your health and body by feeling confident about your BSE.  The My Breast Friend™ Training System can teach you and empower you to feel confident in supporting your breast health.