News India Live, Digital Desk: The month of October is celebrated as ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Month’ all over the world. This is a disease that is the most common cancer in women in India. The scary thing is that its cases are continuously increasing, and the biggest reason is late detection. Most of the women, due to shyness, hesitation or lack of information, approach the doctor when the cancer has reached the dangerous stage. But do you know that you can catch this deadly disease in its early stages by spending just 5 minutes every month at home? The name of this magical method is ‘Breast Self-Examination’ i.e. self-examination of breasts. It is so easy that any woman can do it, and it can prove to be the biggest weapon in saving your life. Why is breast self-examination so important? Doctors say that if breast cancer is detected at stage 1 itself, then in more than 90% of the cases the patient can be completely cured. The purpose of self-examination is to make you aware of your breasts. When you do this check every month, you know how your breasts normally feel. In such a situation, if there is any small change in them (like lump, swelling or discharge), it is immediately caught by you. This is your body, no one can know it better than you! How to check the breasts? Correct and easy method: This test should be done once a month, 3 to 5 days after the end of periods, because at this time the breasts are the least sensitive. Step 1: Look in front of the mirror, stand straight with your hands on your waist. Look carefully at both your breasts in the mirror. Are the shape, size and color of both of them normal? Are there any swelling, dimpling, shrinkage or any changes in the skin? Now repeat the same process by raising your hands above the head. Step 2: Lie down and feel. Lie on your back on the bed. To examine the right breast, place your right hand under your head. Now feel the right breast with the flat part (knuckles) of the middle three fingers of your left hand. Examine the entire breast in small circles, using light, medium and then deep pressure. From the armpit (underarm) to the collarbone (clavicle) and from the cleavage to the armpit, nothing should be left out. Now repeat the same process for the left breast. Step 3: Checking the nipples. Finally, gently press the nipples of both the breasts to see if there is any fluid (watery, milky or bloody discharge) coming out of them. When to go to the doctor? If you have any of the following: If you feel any of these symptoms, then without panic and without delay, contact the doctor immediately: Any kind of lump or thickening in the breast or armpit. Any change in the shape or size of the breast. Any abnormal discharge from the nipple. Redness of the breast skin, shrinking or looking like an orange peel. The nipple sinking inward. Remember, there is a need to fight breast cancer, not to fear it. And your first and most powerful weapon in this fight is awareness and timely investigation.