Pop Quiz! Demystifying the Breast Cancer Self-Exam

When it comes to cancer, early detection is key; for breast cancer, this means breast self-exams and mammograms are a must. Self-exams are part of the toolkit for early detection as Johns Hopkins maintains that 40 percent of breast cancer cases are first detected by women who felt a lump during a self-exam. Take our quiz to learn all about breast self-exams — best practices, best time to do it, how to do it, what to do if you find a lump, and more — so that you can play your part in early cancer detection.

1. True or false? The purpose of a breast self-exam is to become familiar with the way your breasts normally look and feel, called breast self-awareness, so that you will be able to identify any changes or abnormalities.

2. Which of the following is how often adult women of all ages should perform a breast self-exam?
A. Once a day
B. Once a week
C. Once a month
D. Once a year

3. True or false? A breast self-exam can take the place of regular mammograms and clinical breast exams.

4. When should a breast self-exam be conducted? (Choose all that apply)
A. A woman who is still menstruating should perform a breast self-exam a few days after her period ends. 
B. A woman who is post-menopausal should perform a breast self-exam on the same day each month.
C. Women of all ages should conduct a breast self-exam whenever they remember.
D. Only older women need to conduct breast self-exams with regularity.

5. What changes in the breasts should women be looking for when performing breast self-exams?
A. A new lump
B. A sore spot
C. Changes in the appearance of the skin (such as color or temperature changes), itching, scales, sores, or rashes.
D. Nipple discharge
E. All of the above

6. Which of the following are the different steps to performing a breast self-exam?
A. In the shower: With the pads/flats of your 3 middle fingers, check the entire breast and armpit area, pressing down with a variety of pressure. Check both breasts.
B. In front of a mirror: With your arms at your sides, visually inspect your breasts, looking for any changes in the contour or shape of the breasts, any dimpling, swelling, or other skin irregularities on or around the breasts, or any changes in the nipples. Lift your breasts to see if ridges along the bottom are symmetrical.
C. In front of a mirror: Rest your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Look for any dimpling, puckering, or other changes, particularly on one side.
D. Lying down: Place a pillow under your right shoulder and put your right arm behind your head. Using your left hand, move the pads of your 3 middle fingers around your right breast, covering the entire breast area and armpit. Use light, medium, and firm pressure to feel for any new lumps, thickenings, hardened knots, or any other breast changes. Also squeeze the nipple to check for discharge. Repeat with the other breast.
E. All of the above

7. What should you do if you detect a change during a breast self-exam?
A. Wait to see if it is still there next month.
B. Report it to your healthcare provider right away.
C. Research the change online.
D. Do nothing and hope it goes away.

8. True or false? Left and right breasts will not exactly match as few women’s breasts are perfectly symmetrical.

9. Which of the following will your doctor use to diagnose anything abnormal that you find in a breast self-exam?
A. A diagnostic mammogram
B. A breast ultrasound
C. A procedure to remove breast tissue for testing, called a biopsy.
D. All of the above

10. True or false? If you find a lump, you should not panic as 8 out of 10 lumps are not cancerous. 

compiled by ERIKA ALDRICH / Information from the National Breast Cancer Foundation and Mayo Clinic

ANSWERS:

  1. True
  2. C. Once a month
  3. False. Breast self-exams DO NOT replace the need for regular mammograms and clinical breast exams.
  4. A and B
  5. E. All of the above
  6. E. All of the above
  7. B. See your healthcare provider about it right away.
  8. True
  9. D. All of the above
  10. True

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