Medical services
Self-Breast Examination
Examine your breasts at least once a month. The best time to perform a self-breast examination is 3-5 days after you begin your period.
Lying down
Step 1
- Lie down on your back with your right arm raised above your head, elbow bent.
- Place a pillow under your right shoulder.
- Use the pads of your index, middle and ring fingers of your left hand to press firmly down on your right breast in small circular motions.
Step 2
Feel for swellings, lumps and other abnormalities on the topside of your breast, …
Step 3
underneath your breast, on both sides of your breast and…
Step 4
in your armpit.
Step 5
Feel for any irregularities on your nipple.
Repeat Steps 1 – 5 for your left breast.
To ensure every inch of your breast is examined, you may use the following motions:
Circles – starting from the nipple, work your fingers outwards around the swell of your breast until you reach the base
Wedges – starting from the nipple, work your fingers outward in a straight line to the base of your breast and back again. Repeat in all directions to cover the entire breast
Lines – starting from the nipple, work your finger outward to your armpit. Shift them slightly to the left and move them back toward your nipple. Shift them slight to the right and move them back outward. Repeat until the entire breast is covered.
Standing in front of a mirror
Step 1
Stand in front of a mirror with your palms on your hips and look for anything unusual on both breasts (e.g. bigger breasts, inverted nipples, rashes, pimples, redness, etc.)
Step 2
Raise both arms high above your head and inspect both breasts for irregularities
Step 3
Relax both arms down at your sides and inspect your breasts for irregularities
