A self breast exam is a method you can use to detect breast cancer. Early detection of breast cancer increases a woman's chances of survival. The American Cancer Society recommends that women examine their breasts regularly for changes. Most doctors recommend that women perform a self breast exam once a month. If you find lumps in your breasts during a self examination, do not panic. Not all breast lumps are cancer, but you should still report lumps and irregularities to your doctor. A woman's breasts naturally have lumps and irregularities. Through regular self breast examinations you will learn how your breasts naturally look and feel, making it easier for you to notice changes in your breasts.
Visual Breast Examination
Step 1
Stand in front of a mirror with the top half of your body unclothed.
Step 2
Place your hands on your hips.
Step 3
Push your hands into your hips to flex your breast muscles, which will help make changes in your breast tissue more visually evident.
Step 4
Look at your breasts for signs of dimpling, puckering, changes in color of the skin or swollen areas. Are your breasts shaped differently than usual? Are they red or swollen? Is there a rash on your breasts? If you answer yes to any of these questions, see your doctor.
Step 5
Look at your nipples for changes in appearance. Is a nipple in a different position than normal? Is a nipple inverted that used to not be? Is there a discharge coming out of your nipples? If you answer yes to any of these questions, see your doctor.
Step 6
Lift your arms above your head, which will change the position of the breast tissues. Look at your breasts in the mirror and look for the same changes mentioned above.
Hands-On Self Breast Examination
Step 1
Lie down on your back and place your right hand underneath your head.
Step 2
Use your left hand to examine your right breast. Keep your left hand straight, fingers together, and feel your right breast with the pads of your index, middle and ring fingers. Move your hand in small circles to feel for lumps. Overlap the circles, working your way around your entire breast. Do three circles for each section of the breast at different pressure levels. Apply light pressure, medium pressure and hard pressure to feel different levels of the breast tissue. Feel from the bottom of your breast at the top of your ribs, to your underarms and up to your collarbone. A good way to make sure you do not miss any part of your breast during the exam is to start at the nipple and work your way out to the outside of your breast.
Step 3
Examine the right breast again using small up and down motions to feel for lumps. Report any unusual lumps to your doctor.
Step 4
Squeeze the right nipple to see if any discharge comes out. Report nipple discharge to your doctor.
Step 5
Place your left hand behind your head and repeat the self breast examination on your left breast using your right hand.
