Tips for Giving Yourself a Breast Exam

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women outside of skin cancer. In fact, it accounts for more than 30% of new female cancer cases each year, and 13% of women will develop it at some point in their lives. 

If you know exactly how your breasts look and feel on a normal basis, you’re much more apt to detect any changes that could signal breast cancer. To catch early signs of breast cancer and improve your prognosis, it’s vital that you perform breast self-exams regularly. 

Our team led by Karen Mass, MD, FACOG, at Women’s Specialty Care in Lake Forest and Grayslake, Illinois, is passionate about breast health and helping women take charge of their own breast care. 

In this month’s blog, we offer some tips on how to perform a breast self-exam. 

Perform a breast self-exam once a month

Women of all ages should be performing breast self-exams at least once a month. This will help you familiarize yourself with your breasts and increase your chances of detecting changes. In fact, 40% of diagnosed breast cancer cases originated from a woman noticing something was amiss during a breast self-exam. 

If you still menstruate, the best time of the month to do it is a few days after you get your period. This lowers the chance of your breasts being swollen or tender. However, if you no longer menstruate, simply pick a day that you’ll be likely to remember, such as the first or last day of the month. 

Start with a visual exam

While dressing or undressing for the day, stand in front of a mirror with your hands by your sides. Look for any changes in your breasts’ shape or color while also checking to see if there’s any dimpling or swelling around your breasts or changes in your nipples. 

Do this visual exam again while your arms are over your head and then once more with your hands placed firmly on your hips to flex your chest muscles. 

Move on to a manual exam

To detect any lumps in the breast tissue under your skin, you’ll need to perform a manual exam as well. 

Begin by lying down so the breast tissue is evenly spread out. Next, place a pillow under the side of the breast you’re examining and place the arm of the same side above your head. Using the pads of your fingers on the opposite hand, massage the entirety of your breast in circular motions to check for lumps or areas of thickening skin. Cover the areas from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen and from your armpit to your cleavage, and make sure you also squeeze your nipple to check for discharge.

Repeat the exam on the opposite side.

You’ll also need to perform a manual exam while standing or sitting up, using all the same techniques you did while lying down. Many women say they prefer to perform a standing manual exam while in the shower. 

Don’t replace breast self-exams for regular medical breast care

While performing breast self-exams can alert you to any changes in your breasts, you still need to see our team for regular wellness exams. These visits allow us to perform supplemental breast exams and provide you with other necessary procedures for your breast health, such as mammograms.

To schedule an appointment with our women’s health care team, call your nearest office location, or book online today.