Center for Young Women's Health

Self Breast Exam

 

Intro Breast Cancer Risks
What's Normal? Buying a Bra
Lumps & Bumps Measuring for a Bra
current guideSelf Breast Exam

 

How do I take care of my breasts?

It's important to know how your breasts normally look and feel, so you'll be able to tell if there are changes later. You may start doing breast self-examinations once a month in your late teen years (18 to 20 years old). This will help you get to know how your breasts feel normally. You will then be able to notice if any new or different lumps develop. Remember, some lumps are normal, but if you are concerned, talk to your health care provider.

 

Talk with you health care provider about self exams. Breast self-exams are best done at the same time every month, right after your menstrual period ends. Another great time to do an examination is the day after you have seen your health care provider for a check-up, and he or she has said that your breasts are healthy. Then you'll know that all the “lumps” you feel in your breasts are just normal glands. Here's how to do a 3-part breast self-exam that takes only a few minutes.

 

Lying down:
self exam - woman lying down
self exam - diagram of circular and up-and-down motion
In front of a Mirror:
self exam - woman in front of a mirror
In the Shower:
self exam - woman in shower

Your health care provider will perform a breast exam once a year. While you may find this a little embarrassing, a breast exam is an important way for your health care provider to learn what is normal for your breasts and to find any lumps that aren't normal.

 

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Written by the CYWH Staff at Children's Hospital Boston

 

Updated: 7/8/2010

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