Five Steps of Breast Self Exam

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for women worldwide, according to the National Breast Cancer Coalition. There is currently no proven intervention to prevent breast cancer and there is no cure. Thus it is very important for every woman to include breast self-exam (BSE) in their personal health hygiene.

Beginning at the age of 20, women should perform BSE from a few days to about a week after the monthly period has ended. For women are no longer menstruating, BSE should be done on the same day every month. 

Here are five steps on how to perform a breast self exam:

1. Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with the shoulders straight and arms on hips. You should watch out for these signs:

·         Any new lump or hard knot found in the breast or armpit

·         Any change in the size, shape or symmetry of your breast

·         Any dimpling, puckering or indentation in the breast

·         Nipple tenderness or pain

·         Nipple retraction

·         Redness, skin irritation or other change in the breast skin or nipple

·         Any breast change that may be cause for concern

2. Raise your arms and look for the same changes.

3. Gently squeeze each nipple between your finger and thumb and check for nipple discharge, particularly if bloody, clear and sticky, or dark.

4. Feel your breasts while lying down, using the right hand to feel the left breast and then your left hand to feel the right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch using the pads, not the tips, of the three middle fingers. Be sure to feel all the breast tissue: just beneath the skin with a soft touch and down deeper with a firmer touch. Begin examining each area with a very soft touch, and then increase pressure so that you can feel the deeper tissue. Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side – from the collarbone to the top of the abdomen, and from the armpit to the cleavage. Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast.

·         Vertical or “up and down” pattern (or “squares”) covering the entire breast

·         Spiral or ring pattern, making concentric rings that tighten in a spiral, starting on the outer edges of the breast and ending around the nipple

·         Wedge patterns in and out (or “quadrants”)

5. Finally, feel your breast while you are standing or sitting. Cover the entire breast, using the same hand movements described in Step 4.

If any changes are noted, women should immediately see their physicians for clinical evaluation.