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Breast Health

How to perform a self breast examination

Breast exams should be done monthly, preferably in the few days following your period. If you don’t have regular periods, try to perform your breast exams at the same time every month.

Some pointers before you get started:

Check your breasts using the flat pads on the tips of your 3 middle fingers.
Your left hand examines the right breast, and the left breast is examined by your right hand.
There are three different techniques that may be used to examine the breasts – a circular method, a wedge method and a zigzag method.

The circular method means you examine the breast with small circular strokes going around the breast and underarm area in a clockwise pattern.

The wedge method examines small pie-shaped pieces, one at a time, with careful pressing and palpation by the pads of your 3 fingers. Remember to check the underarms and “tail” of the breast, when you’re checking the outer wedge.

The zigzag method allows you to move up and down the breast, while carefully pressing and palpating the tissue beneath. Again, always be certain to continue the examination along the tail of the breast and underarm area.

Know what you’re feeling for – lumps, hard knots, swelling, dimples or thickened skin, any changes in size, shape, color or nipple/skin discharge.

Self breast exam in 10 easy steps

breast exam 1 mirror Standing in front of a mirror:

Look at your breasts with your arms at your sides. Do they look even?

Slowly raise your arms above your head. Is there any puckering, swelling or change in either breast or nipple area?

With hands on your hips, flex your chest muscles. Is there any change noted on either side?

breast exam 2 shower In the shower:

Lift your right arm up and examine your right breast.

Lift your left arm up and examine your left breast.

breast exam 3 lying Lying flat on the bed or floor:

Put a pillow under your right shoulder, and put your right arm under your head.

Examine your right breast, including the tail and underarm area.

Move the pillow to the left shoulder, and bend your left arm under your head.

Examine the left breast, including the tail and underarm area.

Squeeze each nipple and observe for any discharge.