Breast Self Exams

Remember to do your Breast Self Exam at the same time every month, after your menstrual cycle. Most women diagnosed with breast cancer found the lump themselves. Remember early detection saves lives.

In front of a mirror: First with the arms down check breasts for changes in size, or shape and changes in moles. Look for rough or raised patches, skin changes or changes like inverted nipple. Then raise your arms above your head and take a second look for any pulling of the skin or dimpling. Look for changes in the shape or the size of your breasts.

Start your Exam: Self-exam can be done either standing or lying down. For large breasted women we suggest lying down as it flattens the breast tissue making it more accessible. Place one hand behind your head on the side you will be doing your exam. Use the right hand for the left breast; the left hand for the right breast. With your fingertips flat, make small circles, first lightly, feeling just under the skin. Then continue in the same spot, go a little deeper, then finally, go as deep as you can. Cover the entire breast doing these three depths in a circular motion: light, deep, and deeper movements, until you have covered the entire breast. Check for lumps, knots, or thickenings. Become familiar with the texture of your breast tissue so that you may recognize normal from abnormal tissue. Check for enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit areas. Do the same exam on the opposite breast.

There are two patterns to follow so that you don't miss any spot: #1. A spiral pattern, starting under the armpit, then down around under the breast, then up through the center of the chest and finally slowly spiraling towards the nipple. #2. A pattern in lines down from the armpit to the lower ribs from the collarbone down towards the abdomen in rows like an orchard. A good follow up if you find something suspicious is a Thermography that can detect signs of breast cancer early enough to make the changes that can make all the difference, with no painful compression or carcinogenic radiation.