Women should be aware of the normal state of their breasts. When any abnormality is detected, such as a lump, skin changes, or discharge, consult your doctor promptly. However, it is also important to ask your doctor if a self-examination of your breasts would be beneficial.
What is a breast self-exam?
Women can use this to check for changes in their breasts, such as signs of lumps or growths. You can observe and touch your breasts and tell your doctor when you notice any abnormalities. In many cases, these changes do not mean breast cancer, but a doctor’s visit is needed to check.
How do I perform a breast self-exam?
To perform a self-exam, follow these steps:
Look in the mirror
- Stand in front of a large mirror in a well-lit room, keeping you naked from the waist up. Observe the breasts. If both breasts are asymmetrical in size or shape, it doesn’t matter! Most women’s breasts are asymmetrical. Place your arms naturally at your sides and observe if your breasts change in size, shape or position or if your skin tone changes. Observe for any abnormalities such as wrinkling, indentations, or ruptures.
- Examine the nipples and observe for any breakage, peeling, or change in orientation.
- Put your hands on your hips and press down firmly, tensing the pectoralis muscle below the breast. Rotate from side to side and observe the outside of the breast.
- Lean forward toward the mirror. Rotate your shoulders and elbows forward, tensing your pectoral muscles. The breasts will tilt forward. Observe the change in shape or contour.
- Hold your head back and press your hands forward. Then rotate from side to side and examine the outside of the breast. Remember to look at the lower edge of the breast, which may need to be seen by holding the breast up with both hands.
- Check the nipple for discharge. Place your thumb and index finger on the tissue around the nipple and pull outward from the end of the nipple. Observe for discharge. Repeat the same operation for the other breast.
In the shower
- Stroke to feel breast changes. Soap and dip your hands in water to lubricate them for easy examination. Check the underarm area for lumps or signs of growths. Place the left hand on the hip and touch the left armpit with the right hand. Repeat the same operation on the other side.
- Check both sides above and below the clavicle for signs of masses or growths.
- Lubricate both hands with soap and water and lift one arm above the head to spread the breast tissue. Using the flat part of the fingers on the other side, gently press on the breast. Move up and down from the bra line toward the collarbone. Continue in this manner until the entire breast is covered. Repeat the same operation on the other side.
Lying flat on your back
Lie flat and place a small pillow or folded towel under your right shoulder. Place your right hand on the back side of your head. With fingers together and flat, place your left hand on the upper part of your right breast. Applying moisturizer may make the examination easier.
Imagine the breast as the face of a clock. Start at 12 o’clock and draw a small arc toward 1 o’clock. Continue the arc until you are back at 12 o’clock again. Keep your fingers flat and close to your breast at all times. After the arc, move about 2 cm in toward the nipple and complete another arc around the clock. Continue in this manner until the entire breast is touched. Make sure you touch the upper outer area of the breast that extends to the armpit.
Place your fingers flat, directly on the nipple. Feel if there is a change under the breast. Gently press the nipple inward, as hard as you can to move it easily.
Repeat these steps on the other breast, and don’t forget to check the outer upper breast area (the area closest to the armpit).
What should I do if I find a lump?
Don’t panic. The lump may not be cancer. However, it is important to seek medical attention if you notice new changes in your breast, such as:
- An area on one breast that appears different from the opposite breast and other areas;
- Signs of lumps or growths in or around the breast or under the armpit throughout the menstrual cycle;
- A change in the size, shape, or contour of the breast;
- A bulge or lump;
- A ripple-like area under the skin;
- changes in the appearance of the skin over the breast or nipple (depressed, wrinkled, scaly, or inflamed);
- Bloody or clear fluid discharge from the nipple;
- Redness of the skin over the breast or nipple.