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Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center Cancer Information Service Health Topics A-Z Health Topics by Category
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Do It Yourself: Monthly Breast Self-Exam
Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed
First Published: 1995
Last Revised: June 2002
This simple 3-step procedure could save your life by finding breast cancer early when it is most curable.
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In the ShowerExamine your breasts during bath or shower, hands glide easier over wet skin. Fingers flat, move gently over every part of each breast. Use right hand to examine left breast, left hand for right breast. Check for any lump, hard knot or thickening. |
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Before a MirrorInspect your breasts with arms at your sides. Next Raise your arms high overhead. Look for any changes in contour of each breast, a swelling, dimpling of skin or changes in the nipple.
Then rest palms on hips and press down firmly to flex your chest muscles. Left and right breast will not exactly match- few women's breasts do. Regular inspection shows what is normal for you and will give you confidence in your examination. |
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Lying DownTo examine your right breast, put a pillow or folded towel under your right shoulder. Place right hand behind your head- this distributes breast tissue more evenly on the chest. |
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With left hand, fingers flat, press gently in small circular motions around an imaginary clock face. Begin at outermost top of your right breast for 12 o'clock, then move to 1 o'clock, and so on around the circle back to 12. A ridge of firm tissue in the lower curve of each breast is normal. Then move in an inch, toward the nipple, keep circling to examine every part of your breast, including nipple. This requires at least three more circles. Now slowly repeat procedure on your left breast with a pillow under your left shoulder and left hand behind head. Notice how your breast structure feels.
Finally, squeeze the nipple of each breast gently between thumb and index finger. Any discharge, clear or bloody should be reported to your doctor immediately.
"This self-exam is not a substitute for periodic examinations by a qualified physician." |
The best time to do breast self-examination is right after your period, when the breasts are not tender or swollen. If you don't have regular periods, do it on the same day each month.
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