How To Perform A Breast Self-Exam
Amercian Cancer Society
Breast Self-Exams Help Detect Breast Cancer Early
A breast self-exam is one of three tests the American Cancer Society recommends to help detect breast cancer in its earliest stages. The goal of these early detection tests is to find cancers early enough to give women the best chance of living a long life.
The size of the breast tumor and the extent a breast cancer has spread are the most important factors in predicting the prognosis (outlook for survival) of a woman with this disease. Finding a breast cancer as early as possible greatly improves the likelihood that treatment will be successful. There is no question that early detection tests for breast cancer save many thousands of lives each year, and that many more lives could be saved if even more women and their health care providers took advantage of these tests.
American Cancer Society Recommendations for Early Breast Cancer Detection
- Women aged 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year.
- Between the ages of 20 and 39, women should have a clinical breast examination by a health professional every 3 years. After age 40, women should have a breast exam by a health professional every year.
- Women aged 20 or older should perform a breast self-examination (BSE) every month. By doing the exam regularly, you get to know how your breasts normally feel and you can more readily detect any signs or symptoms.
- 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 the right breast.
- Press firmly enough to know how your breast feels. A firm ridge in the lower curve of each breast is normal. If you're not sure how hard to press, talk with your doctor or nurse.
- Move around the breast in a circular, up and down line, or wedge pattern. Be sure to do it the same way every time, check the entire breast area, and remember how your breast feels from month to month.
- Repeat the exam on your left breast, using the finger pads of the right hand. (Move the pillow to under your left shoulder.)
- Repeat the examination of both breasts while standing, with your one arm behind your head. The upright position makes it easier to check the upper and outer part of the breasts (toward your armpit). This is where about half of breast cancers are found. You may want to do the standing part of the BSE while you are in the shower. Some breast changes can be felt more easily when your skin is wet and soapy.
- For added safety, you can check your breasts for any dimpling of the skin, changes in the nipple, redness or swelling while standing in front of a mirror right after your BSE each month.
- If you find any changes, see your doctor right away.
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