Breast Self-Exam

What is a breast self-exam?

A breast self-exam is a monthly exam a woman can do herself to check for breast cancer. When you do a breast self-exam, you check for lumps, thickening, and dimples in the breast. You also check for lumps in your underarms and discharge from the nipple.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in American women. When breast cancer is found early and treated right away, the chances for cure are much better. Regular breast self-exams are recommended starting at about age 20.

What is the best time to examine my breasts?

Examine your breasts once a month at the end of your period, when your breasts usually are not tender or swollen. If you have already been through menopause or have had a hysterectomy, check your breasts on the first day of every month or whenever you can best remember to do it monthly.

How do I do a breast self-exam?

1. Lie down and put your left arm under your head. This spreads the breast tissue more evenly on your chest. Use your right hand to examine your left breast. With your 3 middle fingers flat, move gently in small circular motions over the entire area of the breast, checking for any lump, hard knot, or thickening. Use different degrees of pressure--light, medium, and firm--to feel breast tissue at different levels in your breast. Be sure to check the whole breast, from your collarbone above your breast and down until you feel only ribs below your breast. After checking your left breast, put your right arm under your head. Use your left hand to examine your right breast in the same way you checked your left breast.
2. Look at your breasts while standing in front of a mirror with your hands pressing firmly down on your hips. Look for lumps, new differences in size and shape, and swelling or dimpling of the skin.
3. While standing or sitting, slightly raise one arm, then the other, so you can check your underarm area for lumps.
4. Squeeze the nipple of each breast gently between your thumb and index finger to check for discharge or fluid from the nipples.

If you want to check to see if you are doing the exam the right way, ask your healthcare provider to show you how to do it.

What are the limitations of a breast self-exam?

Mammograms together with annual breast exams by your healthcare provider are the best ways to detect breast cancers as early as possible. Mammograms can find most breast cancers up to 2 years before they are big enough to feel.

However, occasionally a woman will have a fast-growing breast cancer in between her regular mammograms. This is one of the main reasons it is good to do monthly breast self-exams. Another important reason is just to get to know your breasts. That way, if you develop one of the other symptoms of breast cancer, such as skin changes or nipple discharge, you may notice the symptoms sooner than the woman who is not used to her breasts.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Contact your provider as soon as possible if a change occurs, such as:

• development of a lump or swelling
• skin irritation or dimpling
• nipple pain or retraction (nipple turning inward)
• redness or scaly rash on the nipple or breast skin
• any discharge or fluid from the nipple (other than breast milk in nursing mothers).

Fortunately, most lumps and other changes are not cancerous, but only your provider can make the diagnosis.