There are many good reasons for doing a breast self-exam each month. One reason is that it is easy and the more you do it, the better you will get at it. When you get to know how your breasts normally feel, you will quickly be able to feel any change—early detection is a key to successful treatment. A woman can do a breast self-exam monthly to become familiar with the appearance and feel of her breasts so that she is aware of any change.
Women age 40 and older need a clinical breast exam (not all breast cancers are found by mammography) by a medical provider and a mammogram each year.
Remember: A breast self-exam could save your breast—and save your life. Most breast lumps are found by women themselves, but in fact, most lumps in the breast are not cancer. |
The best time to do breast self-exam is right after your period, when breasts are not tender or swollen. If you do not have regular periods or sometimes skip a month, do it on the same day every month.
1. Lie down and put a pillow under your right shoulder. Place your right arm behind your head. | 
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| 2. Use the finger pads of your three middle fingers on your left hand to feel for lumps or thickening. Your finger pads are the top third of each finger. |
3. Press firmly enough to know how your breast feels. If you're not sure how hard to press, ask your health care provider, or try to copy the way your health care provider uses the finger pads during a breast exam. Learn what your breast feels like most of the time. A firm ridge in the lower curve of each breast is normal.
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4. Move around the breast in a set way. You can choose either the circle (A), the up and down (B), or the wedge (C). Do it the same way every time. It will help you to make sure that you've gone over the entire breast area, and to remember how your breast feels.
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5. Now examine your left breast using the right hand finger pads.
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You should also check your breasts while standing in front of a mirror right after you do your breast self-exam each month. See if there are any changes in the way your breasts look: dimpling of the skin, changes in the nipple, redness or swelling. You might also want to do a breast self-exam while you're in the shower. Your soapy hands will glide over wet skin making it easy to check how your breasts feel. | 
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Regular screening for breast cancer is an important part of your health plan. Please follow the American Cancer Society's guidelines for the early detection of breast cancer:
Age 20-39: - Have a clinical breast examination (CBE) by a doctor or nurse at least once every three years.
- Do a breast self-examination every month.
| * Age 40 and over: - Have a mammogram every year.
- Have an annual clinical breast examination by a doctor or nurse (CBE should be done close to the time of the mammogram).
- Do a breast self-examination every month.
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* If you need help paying for a mammogram, contact the Women's Cancer Protection Program at 410-887-3432 or MDCOLON@baltimorecountymd.gov.
If you have a history of breast cancer in your family, discuss mammography screening guidelines and scheduling with your health care provider.
The American Cancer Society is a nationwide community-based volunteer health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and reducing the suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service.
For more information, call toll free 1-800-ACS-2345.
Revised December 13, 2007
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