Tips for Giving Yourself a Breast Exam

We know that getting your annual mammogram if you’re 40 or over and at average risk for breast cancer is what highly respected organizations like the American College of Radiology advise. The important complement to this screening is something you can do at home — a monthly breast self-exam.

Self-exams let you get to know what’s normal for your breasts, so you can detect changes.

At Q&S Surgical in Decatur and Lithonia, Georgia, breast care and surgery is an area of expertise for Dr. Luis Quinones. Breast self-exams are a critical component of your preventive care, and our team supports your health with compassion and respect. 

Your monthly breast self-exam is essential

We know that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, a sobering fact. Though progress is being made in terms of treatments, it’s best to do all you can to lower your risk for the disease. This includes eating a nutrient-dense, whole foods diet, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol, and learning about your family’s breast cancer history, among other steps. 

The reason you should be conscientious about getting your annual mammogram and doing self-exams is that these steps are potentially lifesaving. A breast exam during which you notice anything out of the ordinary enables you to seek treatment to see what’s going on as early as possible. 

If the abnormality turns out to be breast cancer, an early diagnosis is directly related to a better outcome since the condition is more treatable the earlier it is found. 

Nearly half, or 40% of breast cancers, are detected by women during self-exams, making it as vital as your mammogram. 

How to perform a breast self-exam

You can do your self-exam while you’re in the shower, lying on your bed, or standing in front of a mirror. 

Whatever position you choose, use the pads of your three middle fingers on one hand to press down the skin of your opposite side breast and then in your armpits. Start out using gentle pressure, then medium pressure, and finally strong pressure. 

After you’ve checked one breast, check the other and switch the hand you’re using. Varying the pressure allows you to feel breast tissue at different depths, including close to your skin and deeper, around your chest and ribs. 

As you palpate your breasts, be aware of any lumps, knots, or hard or thick areas. Squeeze your nipple as well to check for any discharge. Having soapy hands can actually aid you as you move your hands across your breast. 

Moving your fingers in small circular patterns all over your breast, nipple area, and under your armpit ensures that you don’t miss a spot.

Follow these steps for a thorough breast self-exam

We just described the basics of what you should be feeling for when you perform your breast self-check. However, making sure you do the following things means that you’re giving yourself the best exam possible.

1. Look closely at your breasts 

In addition to feeling your breasts, abnormalities can show up visually too, in the form of things like inverted nipples, swelling, nipple discharge, skin dimpling, flaking, or redness. Do an overall visual check to see if anything looks different from last month, but remember that most women’s breasts are slightly different.

Also, position yourself in front of a mirror with your hands on your hips and press, or raise your arms above you with your hands clasped to flex your chest muscles. This gives you another opportunity to look and see if anything is different compared to your last exam.

2. Time your breast self-exam well

When you’re premenstrual or having your period, your breasts are more likely to be lumpy and tender, so do your self-exam the week after the end of your period. 

If you have irregular periods or are postmenopausal, choose a day of the month to do your exam and stick to it each month. 

3. Take your time as you examine your breasts

Rushing through your self-exam defeats the purpose, so devote a sufficient period of time to perform this task. 

4. Visually check your breasts in different positions

After you evaluate your breasts standing up or lying down, try standing and bending forward so your breasts move and you can examine them visually from a different angle. Something may be revealed that you didn’t see in the other position. 

5. Pursue answers if you see or feel anything unusual

If you notice skin irregularities, pain, or a lump, get your breasts checked promptly.

In addition to biopsies, Dr. Quinones performs a wide range of breast surgery, including mastectomy, lumpectomy, surgery that spares your lymph nodes, and more. To make an appointment with Dr. Quinones, call our office closest to you today to schedule an appointment, or click online to book anytime.