Breast Self-Exam: Care Instructions

Overview

A breast self-exam means regularly checking your breasts for lumps or changes. Depending on your health history, your doctor may tell you to do breast self-exams. These help you learn how your breasts normally look and feel. Most breast problems or changes are not because of cancer.

Breast self-exams don't take the place of a mammogram. Having regular breast exams by your doctor and mammograms can improve your chances of finding any problems with your breasts.

If you notice a change in your breast, tell your doctor. This may include any new lump, nipple discharge, or redness or a change in the skin's usual color.

How do you do a breast self-exam?

• Try to set a time each month to do a step-by-step breast self-exam. If you have a menstrual period, the best time to check your breasts is usually 1 week after your period begins. Your breasts should not be tender then. If you don't have periods, you might do your exam on a day of the month that is easy to remember.
• To check your breasts:
  • Remove all your clothes above the waist and lie down. When you are lying down, your breast tissue spreads evenly over your chest wall, which makes it easier to feel all your breast tissue.
  • Use the pads—not the fingertips—of the 3 middle fingers of your left hand to check your right breast. Move your fingers slowly in small coin-sized circles that overlap.
  • Use three levels of pressure to feel all of your breast tissue. Use light pressure to feel the tissue close to the skin surface. Use medium pressure to feel a little deeper. Use firm pressure to feel your tissue close to your breastbone and ribs. Use each pressure level to feel your breast tissue before moving on to the next spot.
  • Check the entire breast area and armpit.
  • Repeat this procedure for your left breast, using the pads of the 3 middle fingers of your right hand.
• To check your breasts while in the shower:
  • Place one arm over your head, and lightly soap your breast on that side.
  • Using the pads of your fingers, gently move your hand over the entire breast area and armpit, feeling carefully for any lumps or changes.
  • Repeat for the other breast.
• Have your doctor check anything you notice to see if you need further testing.