What are the different positions for self breast examination?

Tips for Performing a Breast Self-Examination

Breast self-exams can help you understand the normal appearance and feel of your breasts so you can notice any changes. Regular self-exams make it easier to find the early signs of breast cancer and get medical attention. Learn how to perform a breast exam at home and what to look for during these examinations.

How to Perform a Breast Self-Exam

In the Mirror

Follow these steps to perform a mirror exam:

1. Undress from the waist up and look in a large mirror.
2. Check your nipples for changes in direction, peeling, sores or discharge.
3. Raise your arms and clasp your palms together to flex your chest muscles, then look again for changes.
4. Bend forward and roll your shoulders and elbows forward, then check for changes in breast shape or contour.

Request a Screening Mammogram

Standing Up

Many women prefer to perform a self-examination in the shower because the water makes it easier to complete. A standing up exam includes these steps:

1. Check your breasts for changes in texture and shape. Remember to also examine your underarm area for thickening or lumps.
2. Look for thickening or lumps below and above your collarbone.
3. Raise one arm behind your head, then use the other arm to press gently into the raised breast. Move your hand up from underneath your breast to the collarbone to examine the whole breast. Repeat with reverse directions for the other breast.

Lying Down

A lying down breast self-exam lets you feel parts of your breast that can become difficult to examine in other positions. Follow these steps during a lying down exam:

1. Lie down with a folded towel or small pillow under the shoulder on the same side as the breast you want to examine.
2. Place your hand behind your head on the same side as the breast.
3. Use the hand on the opposite side to examine your entire breast in a circular motion. Make sure to feel beneath your nipple for any changes.
4. Repeat this process for your other breast.

What Does a Breast Lump Feel Like?

Cancerous breast lumps have different sizes, shapes and densities. If you feel a lump in your breast, you should always ask your doctor to examine it. Breast lumps related to cancer can have any or all of these traits:

• Grows over time
• Feels like a hard mass
• Has irregular edges
• Doesn’t cause pain
• Appears in your breast’s upper outer area
• Doesn’t move when you push it

When to Talk to Your Doctor

During your self-exam, you could find other signs of breast cancer. In addition to finding a lump, you should let your doctor know if you notice any of these symptoms:

• Unusual swelling
• Red, scaly or irritated skin
• A nipple that turns inward
• Thickened skin
• Nipple discharge

Schedule a Mammogram

When it’s time to schedule your first mammogram, contact a qualified imaging facility like Envision Imaging and the Women’s Imaging Center at Colorado Springs Imaging. We offer high-quality imaging services, along with convenient, flexible scheduling and compassionate care to help put you at ease. Our caring staff will ensure you have a comfortable, pleasant experience at every appointment.

Find the Envision Imaging location nearest you, or contact the Women’s Imaging Center at Colorado Springs Imaging to schedule your first mammogram today.

A breast self-exam is a check-up a woman does at home to look for changes or problems in the breast tissue. Many women feel that doing this is important to their health.

However, experts do not agree about the benefits of breast self-exams in finding breast cancer or saving lives. Talk to your health care provider about whether breast self-exams are right for you.

The best time to do a monthly breast self-exam is about 3 to 5 days after your period starts. Do it at the same time every month. Your breasts are not as tender or lumpy at this time in your monthly cycle.

If you have gone through menopause, do your exam on the same day every month.

Begin by lying on your back. It is easier to examine all breast tissue if you are lying down.

• Place your right hand behind your head. With the middle fingers of your left hand, gently yet firmly press down using small motions to examine the entire right breast.
• Next, sit or stand. Feel your armpit, because breast tissue goes into that area.
• Gently squeeze the nipple, checking for discharge. Repeat the process on the left breast.
• Use one of the patterns shown in the diagram to make sure that you are covering all of the breast tissue.

Next, stand in front of a mirror with your arms by your side.

• Look at your breasts directly and in the mirror. Look for changes in skin texture, such as dimpling, puckering, indentations, or skin that looks like an orange peel.
• Also note the shape and outline of each breast.
• Check to see if the nipple turns inward.

Do the same with your arms raised above your head.

Your goal is to get used to the feel of your breasts. This will help you to find anything new or different. If you do, contact your provider right away.

Self-examination of the breast; BSE; Breast cancer - BSE; Breast cancer screening - self exam, breast self-exam

Mallory MA, Golshan M. Examination techniques: roles of the physician and patient in evaluating breast disease. In: Bland KI, Copeland EM, Klimberg VS, Gradishar WJ, eds. The Breast: Comprehensive Management of Benign and Malignant Diseases. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 25.

Preventive Services Task Force website. Breast cancer: screening. www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/draft-update-summary/breast-cancer-screening1. Updated April 29, 2021. Accessed June 14, 2022.

Sandadi S, Rock DT, Orr JW, Valea FA. Breast diseases: detection, management, and surveillance of breast disease. In: Gershenson DM, Lentz GM, Valea FA, Lobo RA, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 15.

Swartz MH, Nentin FG. The breast. In: Swartz MH, ed. Textbook of Physical Diagnosis: History and Examination. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 16.

Updated by: Todd Campbell, MD, FACS, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Volunteer Faculty, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ; Medical Director, Independence Blue Cross, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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