Breast Self-Exam is a way for you to check your breasts for changes, such as lumps or thickenings. You’ll look at and feel both breasts. If you notice anything unusual, tell your doctor right away. In many cases, those changes aren’t cancer, but you need to see your doctor to find out.
Doctors may recommend that people with a strong family history of breast cancer do monthly self-exams starting at age 20. You can continue for the rest of your life, including during menopause and pregnancy.
What Should I Look for in a Breast Self-Exam?
If you get regular periods, the best time to do a breast self-exam is after your period. Your breasts are less likely to be swollen, lumpy, or tender at that time.
If you don’t get a period or have irregular ones, pick a day of the month that you’re unlikely to forget and do it then. It should only take you a few minutes.
Look for:
- Any changes in your breasts, including their look, feel, or size
- Changes in how your nipples look or feel
- Dimpling or puckering on the breast skin
- Hard or thick lumps underneath the breast skin or deep within the tissue
- Pain in one breast or one spot
- Fluids or discharge from a nipple
- Nipple or other parts of your breast pulling inward
- Rashes in or around your breast
- Swelling in one or both breasts
- Warmth, redness, or dark spots on one or both breasts
How Do I Do a Breast Self-Exam?
The techniques for a self-exam are similar for everyone. If you choose to do one, follow these steps:
In the mirror:
- Stand undressed from the waistup in front of a large mirror in a well-lit room. Look at your breasts. If they aren’t equal in size or shape, that’s OK! Most aren’t. With your arms relaxed by your sides, look for any changes in size, shape, or position, or any skin changes. Look for any puckering, dimpling, sores, or discoloration.
- Check your nipples and look for any sores, peeling, or change in their direction.
- Place your hands on your hips and press down firmly to tighten the chest muscles beneath your breasts. Turn from side to side so you can look at the outer part of your breasts.
- Then bend forward toward the mirror. Roll your shoulders and elbows forward to tighten your chest muscles. Your breasts will fall forward. Look for any changes in their shape or contour.
- Now, clasp your hands behind your head and press your hands forward. Again, turn from side to side to inspect your breasts’ outer portions. Remember to look at the border underneath them. You may need to lift your breast with your hand to see it.
- Check your nipples for discharge fluid. Place your thumb and forefinger on the tissue surrounding the nipple and pull outward toward the end of the nipple. Look for any discharge. Repeat on your other breast.
In the shower:
- Feel for changes in the breast. It helps to have your hands slippery with soap and water, especially if you don’t have much breast tissue. Check for any lumps or thickening in your underarm area. Place your left hand on your hip and reach with your right hand to feel in the left armpit. Repeat on the other side.
- Check both sides for lumps or thickenings above and below your collarbone.
- With hands soapy, raise one arm behind your head to spread out the breast tissue. Use the flat part of your fingers from the other hand to press gently into the breast. Follow an up-and-down pattern, moving from bra line to collarbone. Continue the pattern until you have covered the entire breast. Repeat on the other side.
Lying down:
- Lie down and place a small pillow or folded towel under your right shoulder. Put your right hand behind your head. Place your left hand on the upper portion of your right breast with fingers together and flat. Body lotion may help to make this easier.
- Think of your breast as a face on a clock. Start at 12 o’clock and move toward 1 o’clock in small circular motions. Continue around the entire circle until you reach 12 o’clock again. Keep your fingers flat and in constant contact with your breast. When the circle is complete, move in 1 inch toward the nipple and complete another circle around the clock. Continue in this pattern until you’ve felt the entire breast. Make sure to feel the upper outer areas that extend into your armpit.
- Place your fingers flat and directly on top of your nipple. Feel beneath the nipple for any changes. Gently press your nipple inward. It should move easily.
- Repeat these steps on your other breast. Don’t forget to check the upper, outer area of the breast, nearest to the armpit.
Credit: webmd
