How To do A Breast Self Exam
You can find various resources online and in books where you are taught how to do a breast self exam. This step by step version found on Breastcancer.org was one of the easiest to follow and the photos are a great help! It's important to remind ourselves that breasts are strongly linked to hormones. An important habit you can try to start to get into is by doing a breast self exam once a month! Since hormones play a huge part in our breast health:
- Premenopausal women: Do your exam toward the end of your menstrual period. The end of the menstrual cycle is the time when hormonal changes have the least influence on breast tissue, and the breasts are the least tender.
- Postmenopausal women: Choose a day of the month (e.g., the 1st or 15th of the month) and consistently perform your breast self-exam on that same day every month.
How to do a breast self-exam: The Five Steps as found on https://www.breastcancer.org/
Step 1
Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips.
Here's what you should look for:
- Breasts that are their usual size, shape and colour
- Breasts that are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling
- Dimpling, puckering or bulging of the skin
- A nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (inwards instead of outward)
- redness, soreness, rash or swelling
If you see anything out of the ordinary or of the above, bring them to your doctor!
Step 2: Raise your arms and look for the same changes as in Step 1
Step 3: While you're at the mirror look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples (could be water, milky, yellow fluid or blood).
Step 4: Lay down on your back with one of your arms up. When examining use your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few finger pads of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Use a circular motion.
Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side — from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage.
Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast. You can begin at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast. You can also move your fingers up and down vertically, in rows, as if you were mowing a lawn. This up-and-down approach seems to work best for most women. Be sure to feel all the tissue from the front to the back of your breasts: for the skin and tissue just beneath, use light pressure; use medium pressure for tissue in the middle of your breasts; use firm pressure for the deep tissue in the back. When you've reached the deep tissue, you should be able to feel down to your ribcage.
Step 5: Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in step 4.
What if I find a lump?There are multiple reasons that can cause a lump in breasts that are not linked to cancer. Some lumps are benign and caused due to hormone changes, benign breast conditions or injuries. Some areas on the breast are also naturally slightly lumpy due to fatty tissue. The most important thing to remember when coming across a lump is to stay calm. Don't hesitate to call your doctor and make an appointment if you find anything concerning during your self exam! It is always better to be safe than sorry and proactive in your health!
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