Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death among many women worldwide. Many causes can be attributed to the onset of this condition, but it is preventable if easily detected.

It is admitted that with the high cost of medical services, alternative means must be done to find out if there is any problem that may lead to cancer. Self examination, if properly done, can be a cost effective way to determine if there are signs of cancer present. So here are simple tips on self breast examination.

1) Check family history.

Studies have shown that genetics play a major role in the predisposition towards contracting cancer. So the first step you need to undertake is to reexamine the causes of death in the family tree. It need not be breast cancer related, but any disease related deaths must be taken into account for a full grasp of what may be present in the body. This is crucial to eliminate some possibility of having cancer genes in the family or in determining the predisposition for cancer.

2) Do a feel test.

This is the time tested means to see if there are unusual lumps or growths. The way to do it is to lift the arm and have the hand behind the neck, then starting from the underside of the nipple, feel the breast to see if there are painful lumps or bruising. From the underside of the breast, you must feel around the other parts of the chest. This simple exam if done properly is the earliest possible means of detecting growths or tumors on the chest area. If you happen to feel some lump or pain, then you must see a doctor right away and undertake a mammography. At the first sign, it is imperative that you see a doctor.

3) Examine discharge.

You must be wary of any discharge from the nipples. This is especially worrisome for those women who have not given birth to any children. Discharges from the breast area are signs of any hormonal or chemical imbalance in the body. This may not be so true for women who have given birth to children or who are currently nursing. In these cases, a sample of the discharge must be examined carefully. But a sure sign of trouble is a bloody discharge from the breast. If this occurs, it is recommended that you see a doctor immediately.

So breast cancer detection need not be a costly endeavor. The above steps, namely a family tree examination, a feel test and a discharge examination, are low cost but effective means to determine the predisposition towards cancer. Since breast cancer is curable if detected early, the steps above are easy ways for better health. But of course the above steps cannot determine with certainty the presence or absence of tumors in the breasts. The steps plus taken together with an examination by a medical practitioner, are the means to assure yourself that you are cancer free.