Regular breast self-exam can help you know how your breasts normally feel and look. This makes it easier to notice any changes.
If you find changes in your breasts, you should see you doctor or nurse practitioner.
Most breast changes or lumps are not cancerous, but only a health care provider can tell you for sure.
When breast cancer is found early, you have more treatment choices and a better chance of recovery.
Breast self-exam should not take the place of getting a regular, yearly mammogram. Mammograms are still the best way to identify breast cancer, but self-exams are a great tool to screen your breasts for problems.
What am I looking for when I do a breast self-exam?
You are looking for a lump or change that stands out as different from the rest of your breast tissue.
If you find a lump or other change in your breast, you should check the same area on the other breast. If both breasts feel the same, this may be normal. You can always contact your physician and schedule a breast check exam to be sure.
Besides a lump, other changes in your breast might be:
Swelling
Skin irritation or dimpling
Nipple pain or retraction (the nipple turns inward)
Redness or a scaly appearance of the nipple or breast skin
Discharge from the breast other than breast milk
If you see any of these changes, you should see your physician for a breast check as soon as possible.
Is there a "right way" to examine my breasts?
There are several proper ways to examine your breasts.
Ask your doctor to demonstrate and teach you how to perform a thorough self-exam.
A breast self-exam is recommended once every month.
It should be done the week following the end of your menstual cycle.
If you no longer have monthly periods, pick a day and perform an exam every month on that day. Your birthday works well. For example: If your birthday is March 17th, you would do your self-exam on the 17th of every month.
