Check your breasts

However, there’s no “correct” technique that has to be followed and you don’t need any training; it’s just important to become familiar with the way your breasts normally look and feel, and continue to check regularly for any unusual changes.

There’s no firm recommendations about this but it makes sense to do it regularly, perhaps monthly, at a time and place that suits you. If you’re having regular periods it’s best to do it after your period has finished as this is a time when your breasts are generally more comfortable and less hormonally active. You can check your breasts while standing in the shower, lying in bed, or sitting in a chair, whichever is easiest for you. Make sure you also look at your breasts in the mirror to see if anything looks different.

How do I check my own breasts? It’s as simple as TLC – Touch, Look, Check:

It's about detecting any changes which can be felt in your breasts such as a lump, or thickening of the tissue, or anything that feels totally different from any other area in either breast.

In the shower or bath

It helps to have your hands slippery when checking your breasts. Shower gel or soap will make it easier to slide your hand over your breasts.

1. Raise one arm behind your head. Hold your fingers together.
2. With the flat of your fingers press into your breast, feeling for any changes in the breast tissue at both superficial and deep levels.
3. Follow a pattern to make sure you cover the entire area of your breast. This might be circular, up and down or in segments like the spokes of a wheel. Remember that breast tissue also extends up to the collarbone and in a “tail” leading from the side of your breast up towards your armpit.
4. Feel around and underneath your nipple and areola.
5. Continue until you have covered the entire breast and then repeat on the other side.

Lying down

This is usually the best method for larger-breasted women.

1. Place a pillow or cushion underneath one shoulder and place your hand under your head. (e.g. right shoulder, right hand) This helps to spread the breast tissue against your chest. Position yourself so that your nipple is central and the breast is spread more evenly across your chest.
2. Using your left hand, with fingers together and flat, check your right breast in a pattern which covers the entire breast area, as described above, including the nipple, areola, and armpit. Swap the pillow to the opposite shoulder and repeat.

This is a very important part of self-checking your breasts as some breast cancers are detected by visual signs such as skin changes, distortion of the breast, new nipple inversion or deviation, dimpling on the skin or crusting on the nipple. Be aware of any discharge coming from the nipple (without squeezing).

1. Before dressing, stand in front of a well-lit mirror with your hands by your sides. Look at and compare both breasts.
   • Do both nipples look much the same? Has one become recently inverted or deviated? Is there any crusting or ulceration on the nipple?
   • Are both breasts similar in appearance and contour? (it’s normal for one breast to be slightly bigger or sit higher than the other)
   • Look for any dimpling or puckering, discoloration or ulceration of the skin.
2. Next, place your hands on your hips and lean forward slightly, causing your breasts to fall forward. Look to see if this causes any change in shape or contour.
3. With your hands still on your hips, press your hands firmly into your hips, causing the muscles of your chest wall to contract. While doing this, turn from side to side, checking the outer areas of each breast. Does this cause any change to the contour of either of your breasts?
4. Lastly, raise both hands behind your head, looking at each breast while turning side to side. Don’t forget to check underneath your breasts. If necessary, lift each breast with your hands.

If you do find something unusual it’s important to see your GP for a proper assessment even if you’ve had a recent mammogram which was reported as normal. Most breast changes are not caused by cancer but any new change should be checked out to make sure.

Your GP will do a clinical breast examination and if any further investigation is needed she/he will refer you to the appropriate place. You can be referred to a public hospital for this or you might choose to go to a private clinic.

If you have been reassured that a breast change is normal but it continues to grow or change, it’s important to go back and have it checked again or seek a second opinion.