Breast Check Techniques for Male Breast Exams

Video Transcript

"Although male breast cancer diagnoses are rare it does occur. As a matter of fact the incidences of male breast cancer has increased steadily every year since 1975. Unfortunately men don't detect their breast cancer symptoms or at least associate it to the possibility of having breast cancer. Therefore, men typically get diagnosed in later stages which means treatment options are more difficult and more invasive and the mortality rates are going to be higher. Today approximately 1,700 to 1,800 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in America in one year. To help in the early detection of breast cancer Plexis Pink has manufactured and distributed a product called the breast check device. The device is two layers of polyurethane film enclosing a nontoxic gel that when laid over breast tissue, enables the fingers to glide in a fashion such as this and enables us to better able detect smaller abnormalities under the surface of the skin. When a man performs his own breast self examination he should lie in a supine position similar to the position used by clinical exams, raise his right hand over his head exposing the right breast area. The area to pay particular attention to extends from the axillary area which is the arm pit area down below the breast, over to the sternum and up to the collar bone. When performing his monthly breast self exam a man should lay the breast check aid over the area he is going to examine and with the pads of the first two or three fingers of his left hand firmly press down on to the tissue and glide over the surface of the skin. This will enable the fingertips to detect any smaller abnormalities underneath the surface of the skin such as a lump that may be hard or soft, rounded or uneven edges. After examining in a grid fashion the axillary area you may place the breast check aid in a different area and examine that area using the same technique, a gliding fashion in a grid position and thoroughly examine the entire breast area and remember when examining the breasts the area to pay particular attention to extends from the axillary area down to the bottom of the breast tissue."