Breast Self-Exam

Check Your Breasts Using These Steps

Lying Down

While lying down on your back, place a pillow under your right shoulder. Use your middle three fingers to examine your breast by pressing firmly against your breast in a circular motion.

Check your entire breast area with the fingerpads on your left hand. Use small circles and follow an up and down pattern. Use light, medium and firm pressure over each area of your breast.

In Front of a Mirror
With your right hand behind your head use your middle three fingers to examine your breast. In a circular motion press firmly against the breast (in toward the chest wall) to check for knots, lumps or swelling. Repeat this with the opposite side. Pretend your breast is the face of a clock and go around the entire breast in a clock wise fashion, making sure to cover the entire breast area including under the arm.

In Front of a Mirror
Tense you chest muscles to make any changes in your breasts more prominent.Visually inspect your breasts. Look for any noticeable changes, dimpling or size differences. Inspect your breasts in four steps: arms at sides, arms overhead, hands on hips pressing firmly to flex chest muscles, and bending forward.Double-click here to edit the text.

In the Shower
Check your entire breast area with the finger pads of your left hand. Use small circles and follow an up and down pattern. Use light, medium and firm pressure over each area of your breast. Also, gently squeeze each nipple to check for any discharge