How to do the self-breast examination

How to do the self-breast examination Undress the waist and stand relaxed in front of a well-lit mirror with your arms by your side.

Turn from side to side for a complete view and make sure that he part of the breast going towards the armpit is normal.

Check for any changes in shape or size, as well as discoloration, very prominent veins or whether either nipple is turned in.

With your hands on your hips, look at your breasts, again turn from side to side and look beneath.

Push your hand inwards towards the hips until you feel your chest muscle tighten.

Look again at your breasts while you keep pressing and note any creasing of the skin or retraction of the nipple.

Place your hand lightly on top of your head again and look at your breasts carefully. This position emphasizes any differences in size of shape of breasts.

Now concentrate on the nipples and look for any excessive upward or outward movement of either nipple.

Stretch your arm high above your head, and again this emphasizes any difference between two breasts.

Finally look down at your breasts and squeeze each nipple gently to check for any bleeding or discharge which is unusual for you. Make sure top part of your arm is not swollen.

Lie down comfortably on a firm surface with your head on a pillow and slightly raise the side you are examining.

Use your right hand to examine your left breast and vice versa.

Examine one breast at a time.

With your left shoulder raised, feel your left breast using the flat in your right hand and not the fingertips, keep your fingers flat and close together, start from the collarbone above your breast, pressing the breast gently but firmly towards the body, tracing a continual spiral.

Move your fingers in small circles, working right around the outside of the breast.

Continue to work systematically over the whole surface of the breast checking for any lumps.

Place your arms comfortably over your head with your elbow bent and carefully repeat the examination of the whole breast, paying attention to the outer part which can now be felt with most certainty.

You may find a ridge of firm tissue in a half-moon shape under your breast which is quite normal as this tissue help support the breast.

Finally examine the tail of the breast ensuring you go right up into the hollow of the armpit.

Repeat for the right breast and if you find anything wrong since the last examination, make note of the location of the lump or the noticeable change and consult your doctor without delay.

Source: The breast clinic, Agha Khan University hospital.