How To Perform Breast Self-Examination

Why is this procedure done?

It is important to be aware of how your breasts normally look and feel. This way you can report any changes to your doctor right away. Some women find it helpful to do a breast self-exam to look for lumps or changes in your breast. It is good to do this exam 3 to 5 days after your peri­od ends. This is when your breasts are less swollen or tender. If you do not have periods, try to do the exam on the same day every month. Some people choose the first of the month to help them remember.

What will the results be?

You will be aware of any changes in your breast. You are feeling for pain or lumps. You are looking to see if there are changes like:

Swelling

Dimpling

Redness

Scaly nipple or breast skin

Nipple discharge

What happens during the procedure?

Standing Exam

Stand in front of a mir­ror so that you can see both of your breasts clearly. Check each breast for any­thing unusual. Look for a discharge from the nipples.

Watch closely in the mir­ror. Put your hands behind your head and press your elbows forward. Check if there is any change in the shape of your breasts.

Press your hands firm­ly on your hips and bend slightly toward the mirror as you pull your shoulders and elbows forward. Check if there is any change in the shape of your breasts.

Gently press each nipple and look for discharge.

Raise your right arm. Use the pads of the fin­gers of your left hand to check the right breast and the area around it. You may use lotion or powder to help your fingers glide easily over the skin. Some people also find it easy to do this in the shower. Feel for any lump or mass under the skin.

Feel the tissue by press­ing your fingers in small overlapping areas the size of a dime. Be sure to cov­er your whole breast. Take your time. Follow a definite pattern, such as vertical lines, a continuous circle, or a wedge pattern.

Check the upper and out­er part of the right breast and the right armpit as well.

Repeat the exam on your left breast, using the finger pads of your right hand.

Lying Down Exam

Lie down with a pillow under your right shoulder and place your right arm behind your head.

Use the finger pads of the three middle fingers on your left hand to feel for lumps in your right breast.

Press firmly enough to know how your breast feels. A firm ridge in the lower curve of each breast is normal.

Move around the breast in a continuous circle, vertical lines, or a wedge pattern. Be sure to do it the same way each month. Check the entire breast.

Repeat the exam on your left breast, using the finger pads of your right hand.

MKO Abimbola holds a doctor­al degree in physician associate studies from the United States of America. He is a Harvard Medical School scholar. He spe­cializes in Internal medicine, Acute care, Emergency Med­icine, Geriatrics, Psychiatry, and Surgical services.