How to Check Your Breasts at Home: A Simple Guide to Breast Self-Examination

Many women feel uncomfortable talking about their breasts or examining them. There is nothing embarrassing or inappropriate about knowing your own body. Breast health is simply part of your general health.

Checking your breasts does not mean that you are expecting to find cancer. The purpose is to become familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel, so that you can notice a new change early.


When should I check my breasts?

If you menstruate, a convenient time is about 5–7 days after your period starts, when breast tenderness and hormonal swelling are usually less.

If you have stopped having periods because of menopause, hysterectomy or another reason, you can choose one easy-to-remember day every month, such as the first day of the month.

You do not have to become anxious about checking on an exact date. The goal is simply to know your breasts well.

How often should I check?

You may check yourself approximately once a month.

More importantly, remain aware of your breasts during normal activities such as bathing, dressing or changing clothes.

There is no benefit in repeatedly checking every day. Frequent checking can make normal breast tissue feel confusing and may cause unnecessary anxiety.

How do I examine my breasts?

1. Look in the mirror

Stand in front of a mirror with your arms relaxed at your sides.

Look at both breasts and notice their:

It is completely normal for one breast to be slightly larger or shaped differently from the other.

Now raise both arms above your head and look again.

Then place your hands firmly on your hips and gently tighten your chest muscles.

Look for any new change, especially:

2. Feel your breasts

You can do this while lying down or while bathing.

When lying down, place a small pillow or folded towel underneath the shoulder on the side you are examining. Raise that arm above your head.

Use the pads of the three middle fingers, rather than just your fingertips.

Move your fingers in small circles and gently feel the breast.

Use:

Light pressure for tissue close to the skin.

Medium pressure for tissue slightly deeper.

Firm pressure for deeper breast tissue.

You can follow an up-and-down pattern across the breast so that you do not miss an area.

Feel from approximately:

Check the other breast in the same way.

3. Check your armpits

Breast tissue and lymph nodes also extend towards the armpit.

Gently feel each armpit for a new persistent lump or swelling.

What does normal breast tissue feel like?

Breasts are not necessarily completely smooth.

Normal breast tissue may feel:

Breasts can also become more swollen, painful or lumpy around menstruation.

What matters most is a new or persistent change that is different from what is usual for you.

When should I see a doctor?

Please arrange a medical examination if you notice:

Do not panic if you find a lump. Most breast lumps are not cancer. Cysts, fibroadenomas, hormonal changes and infections are common causes.

But you cannot reliably determine the cause of a lump by touching it yourself. It should be assessed by a doctor.

Do not wait for pain

Breast cancer does not always cause pain. A painless lump deserves the same attention as a painful one.

Similarly, do not postpone consultation because you feel embarrassed. Doctors routinely examine breasts as part of medical care.

What are the benefits of breast self-awareness?

Knowing your breasts can help you:

Breast self-awareness is particularly useful because many breast cancers are first noticed by women themselves during ordinary daily activities, in early chnages it is less likely to cause any pain.

However, checking your breasts does not replace mammography or other recommended breast-cancer screening. Screening recommendations depend on your age, family history and individual breast-cancer risk.

If you have a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer, a known genetic mutation, previous chest radiation at a young age or another high-risk condition, discuss an individual screening plan with your doctor.

Remember

Know what is normal for you. Notice a change. Do not panic—but do not ignore it.

Being familiar with your breasts is not something to feel shy about. It is simply another way of taking care of your health.