Step - Breast Self Exam

Step 1 - Breast Self Exam

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 color.
• Breasts that are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling.
• If you see any of the following changes, bring them to your doctor's attention:
  

1. Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin.
2. A nipple that has changed position or become inverted (pushed inward instead of sticking out).
   

• Redness, soreness, rash, or swelling.

Step 2 and 3 - Breast Self Exam
Breast Self Exam: gently squeeze each nipple between your finger and thumb and check for nipple discharge

Raise your arms and look for the same changes.

While you're at the mirror, gently squeeze each nipple between your finger and thumb and check for nipple discharge (this could be a milky or yellow fluid or blood).


Step 4 - Breast Self Exam

Breast Self Exam: 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

Feel your breasts while lying down, using 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 fingers of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together.

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.




Step 5 - Breast Self Exam

Breast Self Exam: Again, 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

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.

Learn more about breast self exam in our Diagnosis section, including a recent controversial research report on the effectiveness of breast self exams for saving lives.