Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women today. For all age women, the breast self-exam is a useful tool that is easily learned. It is used to look for unusual lumps, skin changes, or discharge. For most women, once a month exams are easy to remember, with the best time being about one week after the start of a period. There are two important ways to check your breasts. The first is by looking:
* Check your breasts in a mirror for pulls, dents, odd coloring, or lumps.
* The best positions for inspecting are leaning forward with your arms on your hips tightly and standing upright with your arms over your head.
* The two breasts should look the same, especially around the nipple.

The second is by feeling. There are two ways to do this part of the exam and you may want to use a different one each month. One is by using water or oil on your skin to help your fingers glide over the skin more easily. The shower can be a good place for this kind of exam. The second way is to use a thin tee shirt or sheet over your breasts. In these ways, the little skin lumps and bumps are noticed less and you can concentrate on the breast tissue.
* You want to feel for an area that feels different from your normal breast. Sometimes it's going to be a ball or lump. Yet other times it will be a thickened band or a deep, hard area that does not move like the rest of your breasts.
* Check the breast in two or three positions, such as lying down, standing up, and even leaning forward.
* Use the palm surface of your fingers, not the tips, to move the breast under your fingers.
* Divide the exam into parts, such as a wagon wheel or pie. Examine one part from the outside of the breast into the nipple, and then from the inside to the outer edge. Realize the breast tail goes into the armpit, so the exam needs to include that area.
* Do remember the nipple is important too. There is less breast tissue right under the nipple, so any lump there is a concern. Whether you should check for a discharge from the nipple is a debate since regular, hard squeezing of the nipple alone can cause a discharge. The gentle exam done towards your nipple is usually enough to show you if there is a discharge.

Breast self-exam is not a substitute for mammography. Be sure to keep your regular appointments for well woman care as recommended by your healthcare provider.

Choose a Health Topic Category Aging Alcohol Problems Allergies Arthritis Back & Neck Problems Blood & Circulatory Problems Bones, Joints & Muscles Brain & Nervous System Cancer Cardiovascular Health Child Health & Development Common Illnesses Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surg Dental Health Diabetes Digestive System Drug Abuse Ear, Nose & Throat Eating Disorders Exercise & Fitness Eyes & Vision Family Planning Foot Care General Health Genetic Disorders & Birth Defects Headaches Health Quizzes Hearing HIV Infections / AIDS Hormonal Disorders Infectious Diseases Medications Men's Health Mental & Emotional Health Nervous System Newborn Care Nutrition Parenting & Family Life Personal Safety Pregnancy & Childbirth Preparing for Emergencies Respiratory Problems Sexually Transmitted Diseases Skin Health Smoking Sports Medicine Stress & How to cope Surgery Symptoms Teenage Concerns Test & Examinations Urinary and Genital Systems Weight Control Women's Health   Go