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How to do breast self-examination by a patient on her own as part of a screening procedure
https://rojosonmedicalclinic.wordpress.com/2018/08/25/how-to-do-breast-self-examination-rojoson/
https://youtu.be/lkqI3aVkhLs
How to do breast self-examination by a relative as part of a screening procedure
https://rojosonmedicalclinic.wordpress.com/2016/08/07/how-to-do-physical-examination-of-the-breasts/
When palpating your breast, look for the so-called "dominant" mass, the "real" mass, the red-flag
When palpating the breasts to see if there is a lump or a mass that will be a cause for alarm, look for a dominant breast mass.
One has to differentiate between lumpy or nodular breast surface and a true lump which is represented by a so-called dominant breast mass, in medical parlance.
Look at the diagram below on the difference.
A dominant breast mass is a three-dimensional distinct mass that is different from the surrounding breast tissue. If there is uncertainty whether a finding represents a true dominant mass, comparison with the mirror-image location in the opposite breast is recommended.
If a dominant breast mass is palpated, it is considered a red flag. A breast specialist should be consulted as soon as possible. The dominant breast mass needs further evaluation and investigation. It does not automatically mean it is cancer. It may still be benign. It has to be evaluated by a breast specialist.
Physical Measurement of Breast Masses by a Patient
Reading Materials
https://rojosonmedicalclinic.wordpress.com/2016/08/31/palpate-for-a-dominant-breast-mass/
https://rojosonmedicalclinic.wordpress.com/2018/08/25/how-to-do-breast-self-examination-rojoson/
https://rojosonmedicalclinic.wordpress.com/2016/08/07/how-to-do-physical-examination-of-the-breasts/
In the absence of a tape measure, one can use coins to measure.
Illustrations of measurement of mass or lesions using coin
See also
Measuring the size of surface masses by inspection and palpation
How to do examination of the breast on a patient with a breast cancer previously operated on as part of a cancer surveillance procedure assisted by still-video pictures and guided by physician (coaching patient and relative on what to do and what to look for)
INSPECTION - looking
The physician looking through the video cam; the patient doing a self-looking; and a relative looking also.
Through the video cam, the physician looks at the area of the scar and the opposite breast to see if there is anything unusual and abnormal. The patient and the relative are instructed to do the same.
The physician asks for a still picture (2D) and a video picture (3D inclusive of all angles) of the area of the scar and the opposite breast, armpits and neck (patient is undressed from waist up).
The physician asks for the still picture and video picture to be sent through the chat box and does immediate evaluation by looking at the pictures.
Example: on Telemedical Consultation Session 1, there was a raw wound on the scar.
Example: on Telemedical Consultation Session 2, the raw wound on the scar had healed.
PALPATION - feeling for something unusual - usually a lump or a dominant mass
Through the video chat, the physician instructs and coaches the patient and relative on how to palpate, what areas to palpate and what to look for. Under video chat and coaching, the patient palpates her own body and the relative does the same for a second palpation and also for validation or counter validation of findings on palpation.
Patient palpating the scar area using the flats of the fingers under supervision by the physician - 6 slow sweeps with adequate pressure - along the scar and the rest of the areas on one side of the chest.
Patient palpating the armpit area using the flats and tips of the fingers on the operated side, under supervision by the physician - 6 slow sweeps with adequate pressure - to check for any lump or mass which can represent an enlarged lymph node which in turns could be a lymph node recurrence or spread.
Patient palpating the neck area using the flats and tips of the fingers on the operated side, under supervision by the physician - 6 slow sweeps with adequate pressure - to check for any lump or mass which can represent an enlarged lymph node which in turns could be a lymph node recurrence or spread.
Patient palpating the opposite breast using the flats of the fingers under supervision by the physician - 6 slow sweeps with adequate pressure - looking for lump or nipple discharge.
Patient palpating the armpit area using the flats and tips of the fingers opposite the operated side, under supervision by the physician - 6 slow sweeps with adequate pressure - to check for any lump or mass which can represent an enlarged lymph node which in turns could be a lymph node recurrence or spread.
Patient palpating the neck area using the flats and tips of the fingers opposite the operated side, under supervision by the physician - 6 slow sweeps with adequate pressure - to check for any lump or mass which can represent an enlarged lymph node which in turns could be a lymph node recurrence or spread.
Patient placing her fingers on the area of the abdomen where the liver is usually located, with firm pressure, under supervision by the physician - taking 6 deep breaths and try to see if there is a mass on the liver, that could be a sign of liver spread.
Example of lesions seen on inspection via video cam and still picture.
Still picture is clearer than the one obtained from the video cam of the laptop or cellphone.
This still picture is reinforced by a video whose pictures are sent to the physician through the chat box.
The video pictures complemented by the palpation by the patient and relative make one suspect of local recurrence of the breast cancer.
This was validated by CT Scan.
This illustrates how examination in Telemedical Conference can approximate the accuracy of that of face-to-face medical examination.
Suggested Must Read:
MEDICAL CONSULTATIONS FOR BREAST CONCERNS AMID COVID19 CRISIS AND ENHANCED COMMUNITY QUARANTINE
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