A step-by-step guide to breast self-exams
It’s important to know how your breasts look and feel so that you will be able to tell your health professional about any change as soon as you discover it. Finding a change doesn’t necessarily mean you have cancer, but early identification can make a difference in your treatment options and chances for recovery if cancer is present.
If you have a thickening of skin, swelling, pain, nipple discharge or retraction (the nipple or skin being pulled in), don’t panic. The development of symptoms does not automatically mean that you have cancer. The majority of breast biopsies result in a benign (non-cancerous) diagnosis.
The best time for you to perform a breast self exam is when your breasts aren’t tender or swollen. You should also make sure to have your technique checked occasionally when your doctor does a yearly clinical exam
If you have a breast implant, you should have your surgeon indicate where the edges of your implant are so you’ll be able to identify what you are feeling. You should also perform breast self exams if you are pregnant or breast feeding.
Even if you choose not to do a breast self exam, you should be aware of the normal look and feel of your breasts so you can notify your doctor of any changes as soon as you detect them. Susan G. Komen for the Cure suggests the following step-by-step process:
Just as your period ends (or at the same time each month if you do not have periods), check for any change in the normal look or feel of your breasts. Report any changes to your doctor or nurse. Go for regular breast exams and ask about a mammogram.
Step 1: Lying down
- Lie down on your back with a pillow under your right shoulder.
- Use the pads of the three middle fingers on your left hand to check your right breast.
- Press using light, medium and firm pressure in a circle without lifting your fingers off the skin.
- Follow an up and down pattern.
- Feel for changes in your breast, above and below your collarbone and in your armpit.
- Repeat on your left breast using your right hand.
Step 2. In front of the mirror
- Look for any changes from normal. Inspect your breast in four steps.
- Hold arms at your side
- Hold arms over your head
- Press your hands on your hips and tighten your chest muscles.
- Bend forward with your hands on your hips.
Click here for a diagram of a breast self exam.
What if I detect a lump?
Don’t panic if you feel a lump or notice thickening, swelling, pain, nipple discharge or see the nipple or skin being pulled in. Just because you have symptoms doesn’t mean you have cancer. The majority of all breast biopsies lead to a benign diagnosis. However, you should make sure to let your physician know if you see any abnormalities involving your underarms or breasts so that the proper test can be ordered to get more information. Do not put off talking to your doctor. Get in to see them as soon as possible!
