Being in tune with your body is important for many aspects of your health, this includes your breast health. It is very important to be aware of how your breasts normally look and feel and to report any changes to your health care provider right away. 

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Frequency

• If you still menstruate, examine yourself a few days after your monthly period.
• If you no longer menstruate, examine yourself on a specific day of the month.
• If you are taking hormones, check with your health care provider to determine the best time for monitoring.

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Looking in a mirror: Take off your shirt and bra and stand in front of a mirror. Put your arms down by your sides. Look for any changes in breast shape, breast swelling, dimpling in your skin or changes in the position of your nipples. Next, raise your arms high over your head and look for the same things. Finally, put your hands on your hips and press firmly to make your chest muscles flex. Look for the same changes again. Be sure to look at both breasts.

Manual breast self-exam while standing: Remove your shirt and bra. Raise one hand above your head and use your right hand to examine your left breast, then vice versa. With the pads of your three middle fingers, press on every part of one breast. Use light pressure, then medium, then firm. Feel for any lumps, thick spots or other changes. A circular pattern may help you make sure you hit every spot. Then, press the tissue nearest your armpit. Be sure to check under your areola (area around your nipple) and then squeeze your nipple to check for discharge. Repeat the steps on the other side. Many people perform a standing self-exam while in the shower.

Manual breast self-exam while lying down: When you lie down, your breast tissue spreads more evenly. This makes it a good position to feel for changes, especially if your breasts are large. Lie down and put a pillow under your right shoulder. Place your right arm behind your head. Using your left hand, apply the same technique as option 2, using the pads of your middle fingers to press all parts of your breast tissue and under your armpit. Finally, swap the pillow to the other side, and check your other breast and armpit. Be sure to check under your areola and then squeeze your nipple to check for discharge.
Keep in mind that your breast tissue extends to your armpit, collarbone and top of your abdomen. Your breast tissue isn’t just your breast cleavage and nipples.

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How long does a breast exam take?

A breast self-exam takes only a few minutes and can easily be built into your daily schedule. You can do a breast exam when you’re:

• Dressing for the day or undressing at night.
• Lying in bed in the morning or at bedtime.
• Taking a shower.

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What kind of lumps are normal?

Lumps in your breast tissue are normal and not necessarily a reason to panic. Some people have naturally lumpier breast tissue. Becoming aware of what’s normal for you can better help you distinguish when something isn’t normal.
Contact your provider if you notice:

• A lump or other change in how your breast tissue feels.
• Irregular or bloody discharge from your nipple.
• Dimpling, redness or swelling of your skin.
• Changes in the direction of your nipple such as turning inward.

Keep in mind that things like menstruation can affect the way your breasts look and feel. A healthcare provider can perform a breast exam to see if they believe diagnostic tests like ultrasound or mammogram are necessary.

​What are the problems with doing a breast self-exam?

A self-exam is beneficial in helping you become aware of the normal look and feel of your breasts. But there can be issues with breast self-exams. Some of the risks of self-exams include:

• Belief that a self-exam replaces a clinical breast exam (breast exam from your provider) or mammograms. A breast self-exam is an at-home tool to help you become familiar with your body. Some people falsely believe that because they perform self-breast exams, they don’t need to see a healthcare provider.
• Anxiety that comes from thinking you have a lump or abnormality. Most lumps aren’t cancerous, but thinking you have a cancerous lump may give you unnecessary anxiety or worry.