Video aside, the bigger question is whether a breast self-exam is needed

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To promote breast cancer awareness and prevention, a Washington, D.C., TV station is teaching women how to examine their breasts. It’s doing this by showing videos of partially nude women doing the same. (No bras or swimsuits or anything of the like.) This has drummed up considerable interest and considerable criticism.

Here’s the ABC News story from Good Morning America, plus a Washington Post story, on the matter. They both explore the possibility that the station’s airing of breast self-exam videos has something to do with the current ‘sweeps’ period. The station, WJLA, essentially says: Yeah, well, it’s an important topic.

But perhaps the bigger question is whether or not breast self-exams are even necessary. Many experts aren’t so sure.

As the L.A. Times story A more sensitive exam? notes: ‘Many cancer researchers and doctors say there’s no evidence that careful monthly self-exams actually save lives. Further, they say, such exams increase unnecessary testing and biopsies, as well as anxiety.

The Mayo Clinic points out in its advice on the topic: ‘Breast exams, once thought essential for early breast cancer detection, are now considered optional. What’s now stressed is breast awareness — being familiar with the normal consistency of your breasts and the underlying tissue.’

Not all doctors agree, of course. And certainly some women who have detected lumps swear by them. This related L.A. Times story, For some, self-exams can help, sums up their point of view.

If you want to do a breast self-exam, you could check out WJLA of course, or you could read this smart explainer from the American Cancer Society.

It explains the specific how-to reasons this way: ‘This procedure for doing breast self exam is different from previous recommendations. These changes represent an extensive review of the medical literature and input from an expert advisory group. There is evidence that this position (lying down), the area felt, pattern of coverage of the breast, and use of different amounts of pressure increase a woman’s ability to find abnormal areas.’

Here’s more on the breast self-exam from MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. It says -- and this is crucial:

‘Breast cancer is easier to treat the earlier it is found. For that reason, some experts recommend that women over age 20 perform a monthly breast self exam to look for new lumps and other changes. The self exam has limitations, however, and is NOT a substitute for regular breast examinations from your doctor or screening mammograms. Talk to your health care provider about the pros and cons of performing self exams. If you do perform monthly exams, do them 3-5 days after your period, when your breasts are the least tender and lumpy.’

-- Tami Dennis