Dr. Ernie Bodai
It’s a breast health revolution
What is the LIV® Self-Exam aid?
The LIV is used as an aid for performing self-breast examinations. The LIV is a simple, patented, and FDA-cleared medical device that makes clinical and breast self-examinations effortless and more comfortable. It comes in the form of a soft, heart-shape designed pad filled with a non-toxic lubricant. The LIV reduces the friction between the fingers and the breast for ease of movement of the fingers over the breast.
How does the LIV® Self-Exam
aid Work?
It is placed over the breast during the monthly breast exam. One layer rests on the skin while the top layer allows the fingers to glide smoothly over the breast area via the liquid inside. This reduces the friction between the fingers and the breast.
There is a Learning Curve
for Self-Examination and for
Using the LIV® aid.
It takes a little time to get used to the LIV.
Self-examination is about “storing information” about your breast tissue in the brain, so you can be aware of changes. If you self-examine for the first time and you use the LIV, chances are that you don’t feel much. That is because the brain has no former memory about how your breast tissue feels and it has no memory how the LIV device feels on your skin. So often, the brain blanks and women don’t feel anything. DON’T GET DISCOURAGED!
What are the Benefits of the
LIV® Self-Exam aid?
Because the LIV is so easy to use and gentle to the touch, the Aid encourages women to perform regular self-breast examinations and helps raise their confidence about their self-exams. Women become familiar with their breasts and learn what is “normal” for them, which may enable them to notice any lumps, bumps, or changes in breast tissue at an early stage so they can then contact their health care provider for a clinical exam.
Who Should use the
LIV® Self-Exam aid?
The LIV is an ideal addition to the breast examination process for women over 20 and for health care professionals conducting clinical breast exams. The LIV can be used as an integral part of the three-step, lifelong breast care program currently recommended by many major health care organizations. This recommended program includes monthly breast self-exams beginning at age 20; regular annual clinical breast examinations by a health care provider starting at age 20; and annual screening mammograms beginning at age 40.
How do you use the
LIV® Self-Exam aid?
In summary, a proper, comprehensive breast self-examination includes standing in front of a mirror and visually inspecting your breasts; followed by lying down to flatten out the breast tissue and feeling your breast and the breast tissue area under the arms. After lying down, the LIV is placed on the bare breast area you want to examine. You begin feeling the breast tissue by moving your fingers (not the tips) over the LIV in a circular motion, slowly pushing down on the LIV.
What if a Woman Finds
a Suspicious Lump using
her LIV® Self-Exam aid?
Although over 80% of lumps found are not cancerous, you should make an appointment to see your health care provider as soon as possible.
SPECIFIC USE DISCLAIMER: There is no guarantee that the LIV will detect breast cancer, breast lumps or any other breast diseases. Breast self-examination is a part of good breast health care but is not a substitute for regular medical examination. Clinical breast examination and mammograms should be regularly performed by a qualified physician. Changes found during breast self-examination should be promptly reported to your physician for proper evaluation.
