How often should you do an at home breast exam?

Try to get in the habit of doing a breast self-examination once a month to familiarize yourself with how your breasts normally look and feel. Examine yourself several days after your period ends, when your breasts are least likely to be swollen and tender.

Is it normal to feel something hard in your breast?

Lumps that feel harder or different from the rest of the breast (or the other breast) or that feel like a change are a concern and should be checked. This type of lump may be a sign of breast cancer or a benign breast condition (such as a cyst or fibroadenoma).

How do you do a breast self exam at home?

You don’t require any medical equipment or assistance for this. Let us see how BSE can be done at home. Using your 3 middle fingers, move gently in a circular motion over the entire breast. Check if there are any lumps, hardened tissues or knots Squeeze gently the nipple of each breast using your thumb and index finger.

What’s the best way to check for breast cancer?

Place a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm behind your head. Using your left hand, move the pads of your fingers around your right breast gently covering the entire breast area and armpit. Use light, medium, and firm pressure. Squeeze the nipple; check for discharge and lumps. Repeat these steps for your left breast.

What does a breast self-exam for breast awareness mean?

Overview. A breast self-exam for breast awareness is an inspection of your breasts that you do on your own. To help increase your breast awareness, you use your eyes and hands to determine if there are any changes to the look and feel of your breasts. If you notice new breast changes, discuss these with your doctor.

When is the best time to do a breast exam?

Swelling begins to decrease when your period starts. The best time to perform a self-exam for breast awareness is usually the week after your period ends. Sit or stand shirtless and braless in front of a mirror with your arms at your sides.