Steps of Breast Self Examination:

Perform breast self exam  

Step 1: FEEL YOUR BREASTS WHILE LYING DOWN

• Lie down on your back with a pillow under your right shoulder
• Use the pads of the three middle fingers on your left hand to check your right breast
• Press using light, medium and firm pressure in a circle without lifting your fingers off the skin
• Follow an up and down pattern
• Feel for changes in your breast, above and below your collarbone and in your armpit
• Repeat on your left breast using your right hand

These steps may be repeated while bathing or showering using soapy hands.

Step 2: LOOK AT YOUR BREAST WHILE STANDING IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR 

Look for changes:

• Hold arms at your side
• Hold arms over your head
• Press your hands on your hips and tighten your chest muscles
• Bend forward with your hands on your hips

What are you looking for?

See your health care provider right away if you notice any of these breast changes:

• Lump, hard knot or thickening
• Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening
• Change in the size or the shape of the breast.
• Dimpling or puckering of the skin
• Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple.
• Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast.
• Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
• New pain in one spot that does not go away.

Did you do your breast self exam correctly? Click on this link to find out: www.komen.org