Do a breast early detection self-check every month. Regular monthly self-checks help you become more familiar with how your breasts feel when they are normal, allowing you to notice any changes that may take place and be of concern. Report any changes in either breast to your health professional right away.

Set aside a few minutes each month to check your breasts about a week after your period ends. If you no longer get your period, set the same day aside each month to check.

Beginning at age 40,

Make an appointment for a mammogram and doc-check every year. Continue doing your monthly breast self-check at the same time you do your skin self-check.

Experts recommend checking from two positions, lying down and standing up, either in or out of a shower. Here’s how:

Option One:
Lying Down

• Place a folded towel or pillow under your right shoulder.
• Place your right hand behind your head.
• Using the inner pads of the three middle fingers of your left hand, press into your right breast with light, medium and firm pressure. Start in the center of the breast, from the nipple outwards. Feel for any lumps or thickening on the breast. Continue examining your breast, moving outward to feel for any changes in the upper and outer parts, below and above your breast and in your upper chest area. Continue up to your collarbone and in and around your armpit area.
• Be sure to feel the entire breast with the same motion each month. This will ensure that you will pick up any changes in your breasts that may occur. Look and feel for any lumps, puckering, dimpling, rash, nipple discharge or any other change that does not seem normal.

Take your time. When you are done, repeat each step on your left breast.

Option Two:
In Front Of Mirror

• Start with your arms at your sides, then using your PAM motion, use your left hand to feel for any changes in the upper and outer parts of your right breast and below and above the breast in your upper chest area. Continue up to your collarbone and in and around your armpit area. Then use your right hand to check your left breast and surrounding area
• With arms behind your head, look for any changes in the size, shape and color of your breasts.
• Arms pressed firmly against hips, bend forward and look and feel for any lumps, puckering, dimpling, rash, nipple discharge or any other change that does not seem normal.

Option Three:
In The Shower

• Make sure your hand is soapy. Place your right hand in back of your head. Using the inner pads of the three middle fingers of your left hand, press into your right breast with light, medium and firm pressure. Start in the center of the breast, from the nipple outwards. Feel for any lumps or thickening on the breast.
• Continue examining your breast, moving outward to feel for any changes in the upper and outer parts, below and above your breast and in your upper chest area.
• Continue up to your collarbone and in and around your armpit area. Keep looking and feeling for any lumps, puckering, dimpling, rash, nipple discharge or any other change that does not seem normal.

Take your time. When you are done, repeat each step on your left breast.

To Be Effective, Breast Cancer Early Detection Must Combine:

1) Your monthly breast check.

2) Your yearly doc-check.

3) Yearly mammogram if over age 40, or sooner if you’re in a high risk group.

Your Video Guide

Video credit "Hadassah"

© 2005 All illustrations, Fairman Studios, LLC. All rights reserved

• Try to avoid exposure to carcinogens that interfere with the normal function of the body.
• Limit exposure to radiation from medical imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, and PET scans if not medically necessary.
• Find out your risks of taking birth control pills. If you are taking, or have been told to take hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives, ask your doctor about the risks.
• Breastfeed if you have a child, if possible.