1. Pick the same day each month to do your exam

- Do an exam at the same time each month, to help keep you on track for when you did the exam
- Women who are still menstruating (having a regular period) should perform a breast self-exam after their period.
- Women who have stopped menstruating and those who have very irregular periods can pick a day each month
2. Examine your breasts while looking in the mirror

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Start examining your breasts while looking in the mirror, with your hands on your hips and shoulders straight
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You should be focusing on the size, shape and color of your breasts, while also looking to see if there are any signs of swelling in the area.
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Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin
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A nipple that has changed its position or has become inverted
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Any redness, soreness, a rash or swelling
3. Feel for any changes while in the shower

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Shower in warm water for best accurate results
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Use your three fingers to check the entire breast and armpit area by pressing down with firm pressure
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Look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples (could be watery, milky, yellow or blood)
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Standing up while examining your breasts can help detect lumps
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Many women find it easiest to feel their breasts while their skin is slippery and wet
4. Repeat the exam while lying down

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Place one arm behind your head. Using your other arm, move the pads of your fingers (while keeping your fingers flat and together) around the opposite breast/armpit, using firm pressure.
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Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side; from your collarbone all the way to the top of your abdomen, from armpit to cleavage.
When should I call my doctor?
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Change in the look or feel of your breast
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Change in the size of your breast
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Rash on your nipple
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Swelling of one or both of your breasts
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Dimpling or puckering of the skin around the breast
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Nipple discharge
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Pain in a particular spot on the breast won't go away
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Warmth, redness or dark spots on your skin
