Breast Self Examination & Breast Exercises

Chest exercises - Women's Health

Chest Exercises:  For clarification, the correct term would be chest exercises, not breast exercises.  Since the majority of total breast volume consists of fatty tissue, it is technically impossible to strengthen the actual breast with exercise due to the absence of muscle in this area.  The area underlying the breasts, or pectoral muscles, can be strengthened and enlarged providing a little more support for the actual breast tissue; however, this would not increase breast or cup size.  

Lifting weights to bulk up your pectoral muscles will increase your chest size, but not your cup size.  Female weight lifters can have bulging chest muscles with no discernible effect on the size of their breasts.

Since the majority of the breast consists of fat, one way to increase breast size would be to gain weight; however, since weight gain tends to generalize, the trade-off in overall appearance and negative health would hardly justify gaining weight in order to increase breast size.  Chest exercises can increase the amount and appearance of fullness in the upper chest area above and underneath the breasts, but no amount of exercise can increase the size, fullness or firmness of the actual breast.

Breast self Examination ...

The kit includes:

One Breast Self-Exam pad, Instructional Video, Step-by-Step Directions and Educational Resources.

It is completely safe and reusable and approved by FDA, clinically proven and used by many physicians worldwide. More info here!

As women lose fat and become more fit, on the positive side, their gluts tend to become smaller, tighter and more muscular as fat is replaced by muscle.   Unfortunately, in a cruel twist of social injustice, as women lose fat and gain muscle, their breasts tend to get smaller.  This can easily be observed in female weight lifters and other high profile athletes whose body fat ratios drop to near zero.  

As they reduce the amount of fat on their body, their breasts actually seem to almost disappear amongst the more prominent muscles.  Since the importance of breast size depends totally on attitudes, this is not necessarily an issue of importance specifically to athletes or to anyone else whether they are athletes or musicians.   However, how we feel about our body image does not exist in a vacuum and how others and society in general relate to us affects our own opinions about ourselves.

Fitness exercises that strengthen the chest muscles include push-ups, flyes, crossovers and various versions of the press.  Many of these exercises work best when done with weights or weight machines; however, the old fashioned push-up is still one of the best chest strengthening exercises.  Although strengthening the chest will not increase breast size, it will assist somewhat in the support of breasts that are either large or sagging.  Otherwise, breast size is primarily determined by heredity and can only be changed by surgical means or reportedly by the use of certain pharmaceuticals or herbal ingredients that stimulate the mammary glands.

 Besides the issue of breast size there are also the issues of breast firmness, skin softness and youthful appearance.  Women who would like to have slightly larger, firmer and more youthful looking breasts now have natural alternatives to breast implant surgery.

These formulas were developed for the unique purpose of firming, tightening, strengthening, and increasing the size of the female breast. All natural breast enhancement formulas increase breast volume and fullness, while revitalizing tissues, keeping them looking firmer and younger.  All natural breast enhancement systems are painless, non-invasive, inexpensive, and completely natural. Even if you eventually decide that only plastic surgery will give you the look you desire, you owe it to yourself and your natural breasts to explore alternative solutions before inserting plastic bags inside of your chest.   Try a natural solution first, be patient and give the formulas time to work and your breasts will thank you by looking larger, firmer and more youthful looking than you can remember or imagine. If you already have great looking breasts, use natural breast enhancement care formulas to keep them firm and looking great!


 

When to do a Breast Self-Examination (BSE) 

If you still menstruate (have your period) the best time is two or three days after your period ends. These are the days when your breasts are least likely to be tender or swollen.

If you no longer menstruate, pick the same day of every month. It will be easy to remember. If you take hormones, check with your doctor about the best time for your BSE.

How to do Breast Self-Examination (BSE)

Stand in front of a mirror that lets you see your breasts clearly. Look at both breasts. You are looking for anything unusual. This includes puckered, dimpled or scaly skin, or any discharge (clear or colored fluid) from nipples.

Now, look carefully to see if there is any change in the shape of your breasts. First, clasp your hands behind your head and press your hands forward.

Next, press your hands on your hips - firmly - and continue to look for changes in the shape of your breasts. Bend slightly toward the mirror as you hunch your shoulders and pull your elbows forward.

Choose your pattern

Use one of the following three patterns to examine your breasts. The one you choose is not important. What is important is that you don't miss any areas.

Begin in the underarm area and move your fingers down until they are below the breast. Move your fingers in toward the center and go slowly back up. Cover the whole area, going up and down.

or
Begin at the outer edge of your breast, moving your fingers slowly around the entire breast. When you come back to where you started, make a smaller circle and do it again. Continue, working toward the nipple. Check your underarm and upper chest areas too.

or
Start at the outer edge of the breast and move your fingers toward the nipple and back. Do the whole breast, covering one wedge-shaped section at a time. Check your underarm and upper chest areas too.

With any pattern, be sure to check the area under your nipples too.

Begin examining your breasts for lumps and thickness, using one of the three different patterns.

Raise one arm, putting your hand behind your head. With the opposite hand, use the pads of your fingers (the flat part) to check the breast, the area between the breast and underarm, the underarm itself and the area above the breast, up to the collarbone and over to your shoulder. Check each area firmly, carefully and completely.

Some women prefer to do this in the shower. It's a good idea, because fingers glide easily over soapy skin, making it easier to feel for changes underneath.

Repeat step 4 lying down. Lie flat on your back, with your right hand behind your head and a pillow or folded towel under your right shoulder. With your left hand, examine the right breast and area around it very carefully. Then switch hands and repeat the procedure for the left breast. You can use any of the patterns listed.

Breast self Examination ...

The kit includes:

One Breast Self-Exam pad, Instructional Video, Step-by-Step Directions and Educational Resources.

It is completely safe and reusable and approved by FDA, clinically proven and used by many physicians worldwide. Breast Self Examination

*Reprinted as a public service courtesy of the New York State Department of Health

A personal vigilance and early detection remain a woman's best weapons in the war against cancer.