How to Conduct a Breast Self Exam

Download Do It Yourself Self-Exam (part 1)
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Breast self-exams are extremely important. It's crucial for you to know your body. If you do a self-exam every month, you'll get to know your body, and you'll realize when there are changes. That's how early detection works—you stumble upon a lump that has just popped up.

Early detection is definitely the key to beating cancer. You don't want to find a lump that has been growing for two years, but that's what can happen if you don't do regular self-exams. When I went to the doctor about my lump, I was able to tell him exactly when it appeared, because it was obvious one month and hadn't been obvious the month before.

A thorough breast self-exam involves two parts: looking and feeling.

To visually examine your breasts, stand in front of a wide mirror with your shirt and bra removed. You are going to examine the shape and size of your breasts first—become familiar with what is normal for you so you will be able to notice any changes. Don't be alarmed if one of your breasts is larger than the other. You want to notice changes in what is normal for you.

Examine your breasts with your arms raised, then lowered. Next, press down on your hips with your hands and lean forward, looking for any signs of dimpling in the skin.

Notice the color and texture of your skin—has it changed since last month? Next, fold a bath towel and lie on the bed, placing the folded towel beneath your right shoulder. Extend your right arm over your head and use your left hand to probe your right breast. Be sure to examine the entire area from your collarbone to what would be the bottom of your bra, and from your armpit to your breastbone.

Use the pads of your fingers and make small circles, probing for lumps with light, then medium, then deep pressure. Cover the entire breast, moving up and down, until you've probed every inch. You are searching for a firm lump or a thickening that feels different from the other breast tissue. Repeat this procedure for your left breast, moving the towel from your right to your left shoulder.

If you find a lump or thickening, see your doctor as soon as possible. The vast majority of breast lumps are not cancerous—they may be f luid-filled cysts or fibrous tissue. But if you do have a growth of abnormal cells, early detection and prompt treatment will give you the best odds of completely defeating cancer.