Breast self-exam is one way for women to learn to know their body and therefore recognize any common warning signs such as palpable mass, nipple discharge, retraction or thickening of the breast skin and/or nipple, and then see a Specialist

Women must perform this exam starting at their very first menstrual period and continuing for the rest of their lives, because the older you are, the higher your risk for breast cancer

It should be performed 10 days after the menstrual period starts, which is also when the breasts are the least tender and lumpy

Breast cancer as well as the rest of cancers at its early stage does not present any symptoms and has been happening increasingly in young women, under 40, so every woman from the age of 20 should see a Specialist in Mastology, at least once a year

Dr. Mauricio León
Mastologist at Clínica Ricardo Palma