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First Ever FDA-Cleared Breast Self-Examination Pad to Help Women Now Available in Drug Stores and Major Chains Nationwide
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Nearly 3 Out of 4 Women Still Don't Conduct Potentially Life-Saving Breast Self-Examinations Contacts: Kerry Iseman Maryrose Lombardo Franklin Lakes, NJ (September 14, 1999) -- B-D Sensability™ Breast Self-Examination Aid*, the first FDA-cleared pad to help women conduct breast self-examinations (BSEs), is now available in drug stores and major chains nationwide. A study using the Sensability pad showed it provided a higher level of tactile awareness than a bare hand. The Sensability aid is a complete educational system, including the pad itself, an educational video and an instruction guide, all in a discreet storage case.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends a three-pronged approach to breast health, which includes monthly BSEs, clinical exams by a healthcare professional, and annual mammograms for women over 40. According to recent studies, women who conduct monthly BSEs are diagnosed while in an earlier stage of breast cancer than those who do not conduct regular BSEs. Earlier diagnosis typically leads to earlier treatment and improved treatment outcomes. In fact, some studies estimate breast cancer mortality can be reduced by as much as 18 percent through increased use of BSE.3
“BSE is a simple test women can do to maintain breast health and statistics show women still don’t do it on a routine basis,” explains Katherine Alley, MD, Director, The Breast Center, Suburban Hospital, Bethesda, MD. “The Sensability aid can help women feel more confident in their ability to conduct exams by making it easier and more comfortable for them.”
BSE: Simple, Yet Forgotten
Despite its importance in early detection, many women still do not practice BSEs on a regular basis. In fact, although 96 percent of women are aware of the need for BSEs, only 29 percent actually perform the exam on a regular basis.3 The Sensability aid may encourage the more than 71 million women nationwide who do not conduct regular exams to do so.
ACS guidelines for successful early detection of breast cancer recommend breast self-examination, professional clinical breast examination, and mammography.
Often reported reasons for not performing regular BSEs are lack of confidence at being able to do the exam correctly, not knowing what to look for, limited tactile sensitivity when conducting a BSE with a bare hand, fear of what they may find, and discomfort in touching one’s own breasts.
“When I first brought home the Sensability pad, I didn’t use it for six months because I didn’t feel confident that I would be able to detect a lump on my own,” said Mary Gorman of Chevy Chase, MD. “Once I started using it, I was amazed at how the pad was able to enhance my sense of touch. The Sensability pad helped me to find a lump that both a mammogram and my doctor had missed.”
“Having a tool that makes women more comfortable conducting the exam and confident in their ability to detect lumps may influence them to conduct breast self-exams more regularly,” said Dr. Alley. “Because lumps are frequently caught by women themselves, conducting frequent breast exams could increase cancer survival rates.”
The correct way to conduct a complete breast self-examination is to check your breasts while standing up, lying down and before a mirror. Women who conduct monthly BSEs often do so standing in the shower, and are, therefore, not giving themselves what the ACS calls a complete exam.
Patients Used Sensability Pad as Effectively as Trained Healthcare Professionals
A clinical trial involving a group of 72 breast cancer patients showed that patients who used the Sensability pad (then known as Sensor Pad®) were able to use the product as effectively as nurses familiar with the proper breast examination technique.1
Another comparative study showed that with the Sensability pad a woman had higher tactile awareness than dry palpation (bare hand) or palpation with soapy water (simulating BSE in the shower).1
The B-D Sensability™ Breast Self-Examination pad consists of two thin, round, latex-free plastic sheets that are 10-inch diameter (about the size of an oven mitt) with a liquid lubricant sealed between them. This design reduces friction, making it easier for the woman’s fingers to glide smoothly across her breast during a self-exam. The pad makes it easier and more comfortable to conduct the exam.
The Sensability aid is distributed by BD (Becton Dickinson). This product is the first in a line of diagnostics in the area of women’s health.
BD manufactures and sells a broad range of medical supplies, devices, and diagnostic systems for use by health care professionals, medical research institutions, and the general public.
* Previously known as Sensor Pad®
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