Breast Self-Exam

See also: Breast Cancer Mammograms Breast Lumps - Questions and Answers Why should I do a breast self-exam? Regular breast self-exam can help you know how your breasts normally feel and look, so you can notice any changes. When you find a change, you should see your health care provider. Most breast changes or lumps are not cancerous, but only a health care provider can tell you for sure. When breast cancer is found early, you have more treatment choices and a better chance of recovery. So, it is important to find breast cancer as early as possible. Breast self-exam should not take the place of getting regular mammograms. Right now, mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early and to improve your chances for survival.

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What am I looking for when I do a breast self-exam?

You are looking for a lump or change that stands out as different from the rest of your breast tissue. If you find a lump or other change in your breast, either during breast self-exam or by chance, you should examine the other breast. If both breasts feel the same, the lumpiness is probably normal. As you get to know your breasts better by doing breast self-exams, you should be able to tell the difference between your normal lumpiness and what may be a change.

Besides a lump or swelling, other changes in your breast might be

• skin irritation or dimpling
• nipple pain or retraction (turning inward)
• redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin
• a discharge other than breast milk.

If you see any of these changes, you should see your health care provider right away.

Is there a right way to examine my breasts?

Yes. There are several proper ways to examine your breasts. Ask your health care provider to teach you how to do a breast self-exam to make sure you are doing it correctly and thoroughly. The American Cancer Society also provides a document that shows the right way to examine your breasts. Visit their web site at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/cri_2_6x_how_to_perform_a_breast_self_exam_5.asp?sitearea=CRI&viewmode=print.

Remember that you should discuss any new lump or change with your health care provider.

How often should I do a self-exam?

A breast self-exam is recommended every month a few days after your period ends. During this time, your breasts are less tender or swollen. It is important to do your breast self-exam at the same time every month.

For more information...

You can find out more about breast cancer in women by contacting the National Women's Health Information Center (800-994-9662) or the following organizations:

National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service
Phone: (800) 422-6237
Internet Address: http://www.nci.nih.gov/

American Cancer Society
Phone: (202) 4-CANCER
Internet Address: http://www.cancer.org/

National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
Phone number: 1-888-842-6355 (select option 7),
Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/index.htm

The National Center for Human Genome Research, NIH
Phone: (301) 402-0911
Internet Address: http://www.nhgri.nih.gov/

National "Get A Mammogram: Do It For Yourself, Do It For Your Family" Campaign
(brochures in English, Chinese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese)
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Phone Number(s): (800) 4-CANCER (800-422-6237)
Internet Address: http://breasthealth.cancer.gov

Publication date: August 2003