- Feel Good
- 18th Oct 2024
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This is your reminder to check your breasts – here’s a step-by-step guide
Nearly a quarter of all breast cancer cases in the UK are preventable – which is why it’s so important to check our breasts regularly for early detection.
Taking just a few minutes each month to check your breasts can make all the difference. Here’s how to perform a breast self-exam at home—because you know your body better than anyone else.
Step 1: Know what’s normal for you
Before we get into the details, let’s talk about what’s ‘normal’ for you. Every woman’s breasts are different, and they can change with your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or menopause.
The key is to understand what your breasts normally feel like so you can identify any unusual changes. Get to know your breasts’ texture, appearance, and even their shape in different positions.
Step 2: Stand tall and check in the mirror
Start by standing in front of a mirror with your shoulders straight and your hands on your hips. Look at your breasts in the mirror. You’re checking for any visible changes like dimpling, swelling, redness, discharge or an unusual change in shape. Don’t panic if they aren’t perfectly symmetrical (most breasts aren’t), but look for any unusual changes.
What to look for:
- Dimpling or puckering of the skin
- Nipples that have turned inwards
- Redness, rash, or swelling
- Any changes in size or shape that seem out of the ordinary
Step 3: Raise your arms
Next, raise your arms high above your head and take another look. Does anything change? Look again for the same signs of dimpling, swelling, or changes in your nipples. Sometimes, changes are more noticeable when your arms are raised.
Step 4: Feel for lumps – while standing
Now, it’s time to use your hands. The easiest way to feel for lumps while standing is to do this in the shower. Wet skin will make it easier for your hands to glide across your breast tissue. Using the pads of your fingers (not the tips), press down with firm, smooth circular motions. Cover your entire breast from top to bottom, and don’t forget the area up to your collarbone and underarms.
How to feel:
- Move your fingers in small circular motions
- Cover the whole area: breast, collarbone, and armpit
- Apply light, medium, and firm pressure to feel deep into the tissue
Step 5: Lie down and repeat
Lying down helps spread your breast tissue evenly over your chest, making it easier to detect any lumps or thickened tissue. Repeat the same circular motions with your hands, covering your entire breast. Start from your collarbone and work down to the bottom of your ribcage. Then check the sides of your breasts, including up into your armpit, where breast tissue also resides.
Step 6: Check your nipples
Finally, gently squeeze each nipple to check for any discharge, such as watery, milky, or bloody fluid. If you notice any discharge without squeezing, or if your nipples feel sore, it’s important to speak to a healthcare professional.
Step 7: Know when to seek advice
Don’t panic if you feel something unusual – it could be completely harmless. But if you do find a lump, see any changes in your breasts, or notice unusual discharge, it’s always worth booking an appointment with your GP. It’s better to check in and get peace of mind than to leave it to chance.
Manveet Basra, Head of Public Health and Wellbeing at Breast Cancer Now, said:
“Most breast changes won’t be cancer; however, it’s important to get any new or unusual breast changes checked by a GP, as the earlier breast cancer is diagnosed, the better chance of successful treatment, so the importance of regular breast checking cannot be underestimated.
“Anyone looking for more information about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer can talk to our expert nurses by calling our free Helpline on 0808 800 6000 or visit our website at breastcancernow.org.”
HLN Top Tip: Breast checks aren’t a one-time thing. Set a monthly reminder on your phone or pop a note on your calendar to make sure you’re checking regularly. And if you’re ever in doubt, always speak to a healthcare professional.
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