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How to Do a Self Breast Exam 

If you find something suspicious while doing a self breast exam, please contact your medical provider.

 

 

 

How to Do a Self Breast Exam 


According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, 40 percent of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump. If you find something suspicious while doing a self breast exam, please contact your medical provider.

LEARN HOW

In the Shower

With the pads/flats of your 3 middle fingers, check the entire breast and armpit area pressing down with light, medium, and firm pressure. Check both breasts each month feeling for any lump, thickening, hardened knot, or any other breast changes.





In the Mirror

Visually inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides. Next, raise your arms high overhead.

Look for any changes in the contour, any swelling, or dimpling of the skin, or changes in the nipples. Next, rest your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Left and right breasts will not exactly match — few women’s breasts do, so look for any dimpling, puckering, or changes, particularly on one side.

 

 

 

In the Bed

When lying down, the breast tissue spreads out evenly along the chest wall. 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.

There are 3 methods for doing self exams

 

In the Shower

With the pads/flats of your 3 middle fingers, check the entire breast and armpit area pressing down with light, medium, and firm pressure. Check both breasts each month feeling for any lump, thickening, hardened knot, or any other breast changes.





In the Mirror

Visually inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides. Next, raise your arms high overhead.

Look for any changes in the contour, any swelling, or dimpling of the skin, or changes in the nipples. Next, rest your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Left and right breasts will not exactly match — few women’s breasts do, so look for any dimpling, puckering, or changes, particularly on one side.

 

 

 

In the Bed

When lying down, the breast tissue spreads out evenly along the chest wall. 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.

Thank you to The National Breast Cancer Foundation

The self exam information on the page comes from The National Breast Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide help and inspire hope to those affected by breast cancer through early detection, education, and support services. Jessica has been a proud community ambassador for the NBCF since 2019.

LEARN MORE

Thank you to The National Breast Cancer Foundation

The self exam information on the page comes from The National Breast Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide help and inspire hope to those affected by breast cancer through early detection, education, and support services. Jessica has been a proud community ambassador for the NBCF since 2019.

LEARN MORE

Never Forget How to Do a Self Exam

Fill out the form below and get easy-to-access instructions on how to do a self breast exam. 

Never Forget How to Do a Self Exam

Fill out the form below and get easy-to-access instructions on how to do a self breast exam.