Gay Cumbria - Sexual Health

Below we have included some of the more important issues surrounding sexual health. If you feel we have not covered a topic which you would like to see please contact us.

Safer Sex | Chlamydia | Herpes | Gonorrhoea | Syphillis | Impotence | Your Mouth

Breast Self Examination | Testicular Examination | Cervical Smear

Male Condoms | Female Condoms

Breast Self Examination

Breast examination is important to catch any changes. Remember breast cancer can be treated successfully if detected early enough.

Six easy steps on how to do a BSE (breast self examination):

1. Lie down and put a pillow under your right shoulder. Place your right arm behind your head.
2. Use the finger pads of your three middle fingers on your left hand to feel for lumps or thickening in your right breast. Your finger pads are the top third of each finger.
3. Press firmly enough to know how your breast feels. If you’re not sure how hard to press, ask your GP or practice nurse. Try to copy the way your health care provider uses the finger pads during a breast exam.
4. Learn what your breast feels like most of the time. A firm ridge in the lower curve of each breast is normal, squeeze each nipple, noting the colour of any discharge/fluid that might be expressed.
5. Move around the breast in a set way. You can choose either the circle, or moving up and down. Do it the same way each month. It will help you to make sure that you’ve gone over the entire breast area, and to remember how your breast feels, also check under your armpits for any firm lumps too.
6. Now examine your left breast using the right hand finger pads. Repeat the examination of both breasts and armpits while standing, with one arm behind your head. The upright position makes it easier to check the upper and outer parts of the breasts (toward your armpit). You may want to do the standing part of the BSE while you are in the shower. Some breast changes can be felt more easily when your skin is wet and soapy.

If you are in any doubt about any abnormality or lump get it check by your GP as soon as possible, no matter how trivial it may seem.