Your Monthly How-To Guide

It’s always worth repeating: The sooner a problem is found, the more treatment options available. Breast self-exams are key to early detection and empower you to take charge of your health.

Just as your period ends (or at the same time each month if you do not have periods), check for any change in the normal look or feel of your breasts. Report any changes to your health care provider. Go for regular breast exams and ask about a mammogram.

Step 1: Feel for Changes
These steps may be repeated while bathing or showering using soapy hands.

• Lie down on your back with a pillow under your right shoulder
• Use the pads of the three middle fingers on your left hand to check your right breast
• Press using light, medium and firm pressure in a circle without lifting your fingers off the skin
• Follow an up-and-down pattern
• Feel for changes in the breast, above and below the collarbone and in your armpit
• Repeat on your left breast using your right hand

Step 2: Look for Changes
Look for any changes from normal. Inspect your breasts in four steps:

• Hold arms at your side
• Hold arms over your head
• Press your hands on your hips and tighten your chest muscles
• Bend forward with your hands on your hips

See your health care provider right away if you notice these breast changes:

• Lump, hard knot or thickening
• Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening
• Change in size or shape
• Dimpling or puckering of the skin
• Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
• Pulling in of your nipple or other parts
• Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
• New pain in one spot that doesn’t go away

Stay informed:

• Know your risk by learning about your family health history and talking to your health care provider about your own personal risk.
• Ask your doctor which screening tests are right for you if you are at a higher risk. Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you are at average risk. Have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years starting at age 20, and every year starting at age 40.
• Know how your breasts look and feel and report any changes to your health care provider right away.
• Make healthy lifestyle choices that may reduce your risk of breast cancer.

Download this guide for a printable PDF version of the steps to conducting your breast self-exam (requires Adobe Reader).