Health Topics

How to do a Breast Self Exam


How to do a Breast Self Exam

A monthly self breast exam should be performed by all women starting at about the age of 20. A breast exam increases the chances of early detection and survival of breast cancer.

Monthly Breast Self Exam

1. The first part of the breast exam is inspection, or looking at your breasts. Stand undressed from the waist up in front of a large mirror in a well lighted room. Look at your breasts. Don’t be alarmed if they do not look equal. Most women’s breasts are not. With your arms relaxed by your sides, look for any changes in your breasts’ size, shape, texture or skin. Look for skin puckering, dimpling, sores or discoloration. Inspect your nipples and look for any sores, peeling or change in the direction of the nipples

2. Continuing the breast exam, place your hands on your hips and press down firmly to tighten the chest muscles beneath your breasts. During the breast exam, turn from side to side so you can inspect the outer part of the breasts.

3. Then bend forward toward the mirror. Roll your shoulders and elbows forward to tighten your chest muscles. Your breasts will fall forward. Look for any changes in the shape of your breasts.

4. Now, clasp your hands behind your head and press your hands forward. Again, turn from side to side to inspect your breasts’ outer portion. Remember to inspect the border underneath your breasts. You may need to lift your breast with your hand during the breast exam in order to see this area.

5. Check your nipples for discharge. Place your thumb and forefinger on the tissue surrounding the nipple and pull outward toward the end of the nipple. Look for any discharge. Repeat on your other breast.

Self Breast Exam at the Shower

6. The second part of the breast exam is palpation, or feeling for any changes. It is helpful to have your hands slippery with soap and water during this part of the breast exam. Check for any lumps or thickenings in your underarm area. Place your left hand on your hip and reach with your right hand to feel in the left armpit. Repeat with your right arm.

7. Check for lumps or thickenings above and below your collar bone.

8. Continuing the breast exam, with hands soapy, support the breast with one hand while using the other hand to feel the tissue. Cover the breast in a straight grid pattern with a series of strips from collar bone to bra line.

Self Breast Exam Lying Down

9. Continuing the breast exam, lie down and place a small pillow or folded towel under your left shoulder. Put your left hand behind your head. Place your right hand on the upper portion of your left breast with fingers together and flat. Body lotion may help to make palpation easier during the breast exam.

10. Think of your breast as a face of a clock. Start the breast exam at 12 o’clock and move toward 1 o’clock in small circular motions. Continue around the entire circle back to 12. Keep your fingers flat and inconstant contact with your breast. When the circle is completed, move in one inch toward the nipple and continue in another circle. Continue the breast exam in this pattern until your entire breast has been palpated. Make sure to palpate the upper outer areas which extend into your armpit.

11. Continuing the breast exam, place your fingers flat and directly on top of your nipple. Feel beneath the nipple for any changes. Gently press your nipple inward. It should move easily.

Now place a pillow or folded towel underneath your right shoulder and place your right hand behind your head. Repeat steps nine, ten and eleven of the breast exam on your right breast.