Breast Exams

 




Breast Exams
Breast development is usually a sign that a girl is entering puberty. Most girls' breasts start to develop before their first periods. During puberty, every girl's breasts go through regular changes. As you grow and develop, you may notice small lumps and other changes in your breasts, and during your period, you may find your breasts are sensitive and tender. Most of these developments are totally normal. Getting into the habit of examining your breasts when you're still in your teens can help you get used to your normal breast changes. When you become familiar with how they feel, it will be easier to recognize anything unusual.
Why Do I Need Breast Exams?
If you go for an annual checkup with a doctor, he or she will likely examine your breasts each year to evaluate your development and ensure that all changes are normal. Your doctor may recommend that you get into the practice of examining your breasts yourself - called a breast self-examination (BSE) - and he or she can show you how to do this.
A BSE can help women detect cysts or other benign (noncancerous) breast problems between checkups. BSE can also help some women detect breast cancer - a disease that's extremely rare among teens. It's easy to perform a breast self-examination, and it only takes a few minutes. Although it might seem strange or inconvenient at first, BSE is a skill you can use throughout your life to ensure good breast health.