RESOURCES: Breast Self Examination

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Monthly Breast Self-Exam

Step One:  Lying Down
Feel for a hard lump, thickening or any change in your breast tissue.

• Lie down on your back with a pillow under your right shoulder.
  
  
  
• Use the pads of the three middle fingers on your left hand to examine your right breast
  
  
  
• Press using light, medium and firm pressure in a circular motion
  
  
  
• Follow an up and down pattern
  
  
  
• Feel for changes in your breast, above and below your collarbone and in your armpit area
• Repeat on your left breast using your right hand

Step Two:  In Front of the Mirror
Look for changes in the shape, size or appearance of your breasts.  Look for dimpling, rash or puckering of the skin or nipple, nipple discharge or
any change from normal.  Inspect your breasts in four steps:

• Hold arms at your sides
• Hold arms over your head
• Press your hands on your hips to tighten your chest muscles
     
  
  
• Bend forward with your hands on your hips.

Step Three:  In the Shower

• Use the pads of the three middle fingers on your left hand to examine your right breast
   
  
  
• Press using light, medium and firm pressure in a circular motion
• Follow an up and down pattern
• Feel for changes in your breast, above and below your collarbone and in your armpit area

Repeat on your left breast using your right hand

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