How do I do a self exam of my breasts for breast cancer?
Academic Title: Professor
Director, Jefferson Breast Care Center
Board Certifications:
Surgery
The first thing to do is stand in front of a mirror and raise your hands above your head and make sure they are symmetrical that the contour of the breast is not broken by anything you did not see last month when you did a self exam. Look for any changes in the surface of your nipple.
Then lie down in bed flat on your back so your breast lie flat against your chest wall. To examine your left breast use your right hand and use your left hand to examine your right breast. Very gently go over the surface of your breast from the middle of your breast bone all the way out to the edge of the breast laterally from you collar bone to where your breast meets the chest wall.
If you see or feel anything new and different call your doctor.
The best time to do self exams is a week after your period starts for women who are menstruating. If you do not have periods, pick a day of the month to remember to perform a self exam every month.