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Q+A: What to know about self-breast exams, according to an OB/GYN

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month — meaning it’s a good time to see the how, the why, and the what to look for during a self-breast exam.

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A middle-aged woman performing a self-breast exam

Pro tip: Try setting a monthly reminder on your phone to perform a self-exam.

Photo provided by Virginia Physicians for Women

Women should perform a self-breast exam every month — true or false?

For Dr. Katy Sanderson, OB/GYN at Virginia Physicians for Women, the answer is true.

While some professional medical organizations caution that self-exams can lead to increased anxiety, Dr. Sanderson says it’s important for women to know how to perform a self-exam since they’re so effective in early detection.

How effective? In women under 50, up to 71% of breast cancers are detected during a self-exam. In women over 50, 50% of cancers are detected this way.

See this Q+A to find out what else Dr. Sanderson has to say about self-breast exams, including:

  • How do I do a self-breast exam?
  • What does breast cancer feel like?
  • What if I find a lump in my breast?
  • Do I still need a mammogram if I don’t notice any abnormalities?
  • How often should I schedule a mammogram?

See the full Q+A

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