Breast Self Examination
Advisory from Breast Actives By Breast Gain Plus

Healthy Changes Through Life:

A self examination of your breasts once every month is the best way to be aware of the cyclical changes in your breasts as you go through the different stages of your life.. You will get to know your breasts better than your health care provider, and you will be able to detect changes easily. Having an annual clinical exam helps document your breast health, so do keep a regular appointment set up for that with your doctor. Between puberty and menopause, your breasts will go through many changes, which are affected by hormones, diet, breast feeding and exercise. Most of these changes are natural and healthy!

Teen Years (Puberty):

In the teen years, with the start of your monthly menstrual cycle, your body enters the maturing process. You begin to develop the curves that make the female body sexy and attractive. You may notice skin changes (such as acne) and even hair may change color or texture. Breast tissue is developing during this time too, and may be dense and firm to begin with, especially if you are small-breasted.

Family History: At this stage, it’s not too early to know your family health history, so ask your female relatives (mother, aunts, grandmother) if they had any fibrocystic problems with their breasts, or any regular cysts. If so, it’s likely that you may experience those too. There is no need to worry – cysts are benign – but you want to know where they are, and if they come and go, so they can be distinguished from other features in your breasts.'
 

More Curves and Kids (Childbearing Years):

After your body is prepared for motherhood, if you conceive and bear children, and also if you breastfeed the children, that will bring on more changes in your breasts, as well as in the rest of your body. Breasts may become larger and more tender during pregnancy, and may need more support. Don’t neglect your Breast Self Exam during this time. Stay familiar with the changes. Remember that pregnancy and breastfeeding will help combine to lower your risk of breast cancer.
 

Maturity (Menopause):

Menopause brings further changes in your breasts. As your estrogen and progesterone levels drop, your breasts may become less firm and may lose some of the volume and shape of your teen and child-bearing years. You must continue with with your breast self exams in these years too, so that you are familiar with the normal changes that are taking place. Less dense and softer breast tissues will seem to have more lumps and bumps, but remember that 90% of breast lumps are benign.
 

Breast Enhancement:

If, at any time in your life, you are unhappy or distressed about the size or shape of your breasts, do not consider breast augmentation surgery - the costs, potential risks and known side-effects make breast implant surgery an unattractive option. Instead of implants, natural breast enhancement is a safe, effective and moderately priced option.