How to Examine Breasts Cancer

Most breast cancers are discovered by women themselves. Every woman should examine her breasts every month. The breast time to do so is about a week after the end of your menstrual period, when the breasts are usually not tender or swollen. If you do find a lump, discharge, or dimple, see a doctor as soon as possible. Most lumps or changes do not mean cancer, but only a doctor can make the diagnoses.

The procedure to check your breasts are as follows:

1. Examine your breasts during bath or shower; hands glide easier over wet skin. Fingers flat, move gently over every part of each breast. Use right hand for right breast. Check for any lump, hard knot or thickening.
2. Stand before a mirror and inspect your breasts, first with arms at your sides, then with arms raised high overhead. Look for any changes in the shape of each breast, a swelling, dimpling of the skin, or changes in the nipple. Then rest your palms on your hips and press down firmly to flex your chest muscle. Left and right breast will not exactly match, few women do.
3. Lie down on a bed and put a pillow or folded towel under your right shoulder. Place your right hand behind your head, this distributes breast tissue more evenly on the chest. With left hand fingers flat, press gently in small circular motions arround an imaginary clock face. Begin at outermost top of your right breast for 12 'O clock, then move to 1 o'clock, and so on around the circle back to 12. A ridge of firm tissue in the lower curve of each breast is normal. Then move in an inch, toward the nipple, and keep circling to examine every part of your breast, including the nipple. The requires at least three more circles. Repeated this procedure on your left breast with a pillow under your left shoulder and your left hand behind your head.
4. Finally, squeezee the nipple of each breast gently between thumb and index finger. Any discharge, clear or bloody, should be reported to a doctor immediately.