When performing BSE (breast self-examination) it needs to be done once a month at the same time (picking the most comfortable time of the month). If you are menstruating regularly, do it 1 - 4 days after your period finishes. If your periods are not regular or you no longer are menstruating, do it by date, i.e. the first of the month or perhaps on your birthday. Mark the date on your calendar. Once you no longer menstruate it is easier to forget to do your breast exam on the same date each month.
Anything in your breast, which is different from normal for you, needs to be evaluated by your physician. Anything like a pea or a bean or a BB, any area which feels different, perhaps thicker or more dense, anything which looks different in the mirror, needs your doctor's opinion.
Women are not familiar with breast tissue. No one has ever taught us. It takes time to become familiar with breast tissue - there is no easy way. Therefore, we encourage you to do your breast exam tonight or tomorrow night and once a week for the next month and then just one time a month. Remember, all breast tissue is lumpy and irregular. When feeling your own breasts if you aren't sure about an area, check the other breast in the same spot. Compare breast to breast, there is usually a similarity. Remember that one breast is usually larger, one breast is more lumpy and one is more sensitive to hormonal changes. If you have a lot of lumpiness - fibrocystic breasts - draw a diagram of each breast and describe to yourself what they look and feel like; as this can be a guide or the next three weeks when doing breast self exams.
Once a month stand in front of the mirror, undressed to the waist, with your arms at your sides and look at your breasts. Check the color of your breasts, direction of your nipples, (any change - way out, way in or to the side, needs to be evaluated by your physician). A dimple in your breast or puckering or gathering of your breast tissue isn't normal. It is not part of normal aging.
Now flex the muscles behind your breasts and check for the very same things. Any change from what you know to be normal needs to be evaluated by your physician.
Put your arms behind your head and continue to look at your breasts. How far down do they come on you chest wall? Look at the width, see how your nipples fit in your areolas. Check the areolas for color. Check your vein pattern on your chest wall and breasts (if any change, check with your physician). Turn side to side and check under each breast.
Remember, which ever breast you are examining, that arm behind your head. So you always cross examine.
Next, check lightly behind your nipple being sure no hard mass is present, squeeze the area behind your nipple to be sure there is no discharge, and then check each nipple to be sure no hard knot is present within your nipple tissue.
Next, put your hands on your hips and bend forward to check your nipple direction. Has it changed? Check the contour of your breasts. Is it an unbroken line? Then divide your breasts into sections making a sweep toward your nipple being sure you don't feel a lump. Remember, this is one of three ways you are going to feel your breasts.
Now lie down. Put a small pillow or folded towel under the shoulder of the breast you are going to examine. Starting at your collar bone make a large circle around the outer periphery of your breast, keeping your fingers together and hands in touch with your skin. Work your way into your nipple. Next divide your breast into wedges as you did when bending forward. Then go to your other breast following the same procedure.
In the shower use the same circular motion, (or vertical or both) covering all of your breast tissue.
It doesn't matter which technique you do first. Just do all three at one time, i.e., visual, shower, and lying down.
Remember, in the shower in the shower use soap on your breasts and when lying down use lotion. It increases your sensitivity and helps your fingers to glide more easily.
If women would do monthly breast self exams, have our physician examine our breasts yearly and follow the American Cancer Society Guidelines for mammography, we could lower the death rate from breast cancer by 30%.