Patient's question:
Why are the breasts leaning outward? The nipple direction is? I am an 18-year-old girl, and usually, my breasts are not facing forward but leaning to the sides. Is it sagging?Doctor's answer:
Hello,1. Don't worry, it's normal, related to the surrounding muscles and tendons.
2. Start from a seated position. Any inversion of the nipple, skin depression, or abnormal structure can be a sign of deep breast cancer. If the patient claps their hands above their head to contract the chest muscles, these signs may appear. When women are seated, it's easier to examine the supraclavicular, infraclavicular, and axillary lymph nodes. Finally, a seated palpation is required, using joined fingers to touch the area under the nipple.
For a broader area of palpation, lie down with a pillow under the same breast and raise the same arm above your head to spread the breast evenly against the chest wall, making it easier to palpate deep breast cancer. Use the palmar surfaces of the index, middle, and ring fingers, not the fingertips, for palpation. The palpation method should involve moving in a circular motion, rotating from the nipple outward, and it's especially important to check the breast extending to the axilla.
The breast examination should first observe the development of the breasts, whether they are symmetrical, similar in size, and whether the nipples are at the same level. Check for nipple retraction or inversion; any erosion of the nipple or areola; the color of the breast skin; signs of edema or orange-peel-like changes; redness or swelling (inflammatory signs); and whether the superficial veins in the breast area are dilated.
Best time for examination: For women with regular menstrual cycles, the 9th to 11th day after menstruation is the best time for breast examination. At this time, estrogen has the least impact on the breasts, and they are relatively inactive, making it easier to detect abnormalities. Postmenopausal women, due to decreased estrogen levels and less influence from endocrine hormones, can choose any time to visit.
It should be noted that the high-risk age group for breast cancer is between 45 and 55. If any breast abnormalities are found during self-examination or screening, seek medical attention promptly and follow the doctor's advice for follow-up examinations.