Things You'll Need:
- Mirror
- Small pillow or towel
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Step 1
Know what to look for when you conduct a breast self examination. Any changes in the breasts should be noted, as well as any discharge, patches of scaly skin, the presence of lumps or any change in the size or shape of the nipple.
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Step 2
Plan to conduct a breast self examination on the same day of each month, preferably 2 to 3 days after the end of each menstrual period. If your periods have ceased, however, then pick a target date to perform the examination that's easy to remember, such as the first day of the month.
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Step 3
Start to conduct a breast self examination by standing in front of a mirror to look for any obvious changes in size or shape of the breasts, as well as any puckering or dimpling of the skin and nipples.
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Step 4
Clasp both hands behind your head and push on your head slightly to cause your chest muscles to flex. Again, note any abnormalities in breast shape by studying your reflection in the mirror.
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Step 5
Raise one arm over your head and continue the breast self examination by using the fingers of your other hand to examine the opposite breast. Apply pressure and trace small sections of skin and underlying tissue at a time (about the size of a dime) using either an up and down motion, a circle motion, or the wedge approach, as though your breast were divided into equal sections of a pie.
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Step 6
Examine the entire breast, including the nipple area and the area in and surrounding your armpit. Then switch arms and repeat the self examination on the other breast.
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Step 7
Repeat the breast self examination steps 5 and 6, this time while lying down flat with a small pillow or towel propped under the shoulder of the arm that is raised over your head.
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Step 8
Visit BreastCancer.org to find a detailed diagram showing the 5 main steps of a self breast exam (see Resources below).
