In some countries, such as Scandinavia, self-palpation is an automatism from adolescence allowing young girls, then women, to self-examine to detect a possible anomaly. This is not as common in other nations, such as France, where the examination is more commonly performed during consultations by a health professional. However, there are more and more campaigns to introduce this gesture into women’s daily lives and enable them to become actors in screening.
A simple and indispensable gesture
If your gynecologist has certainly already shown you how to examine your chest alone, do you actually do it regularly? It does not in any way replace mammograms, to be performed every two years on average from the age of 50 for women without a history, but self-examination is considered by many health professionals as an effective complement to organized screening and regular visits to your gynecologist.
It is also easy to find online all the necessary explanations to practice this technique correctly. The association Le Cancer du Sein, Parlons-En! details with precision all the essential gestures for a good self-palpation. An exam that must be renewed every month; the goal is to be able to detect any anomaly. Only regularity can allow you to know perfectly the constitution of your breasts.
Applications to the rescue
As in many fields, technology has been at the service of health for several years. Today there are applications that can accompany and guide women in the practice of self-palpation. This is the case of Keep A Breast which will be launched on the occasion of the next edition of Pink October, an awareness month dedicated to the fight against breast cancer. Users will be able to take advantage of many features, including a monthly reminder inviting them to self-examine and of course the methodology to follow. In case of doubt, a simple click on a button will allow them to make an appointment with a health professional.