Choose a time when your breasts are not tender, ideally a few days after your period ends
Stand in front of a mirror with your shoulders straight and arms at your sides
Look for changes in size, shape, symmetry, skin dimpling, swelling, redness, or nipple changes
Raise your arms overhead and look for the same changes
Place your hands on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles while looking for changes
Lie down and place a pillow under your right shoulder
Put your right arm behind your head
Use the pads of the three middle fingers of your left hand to check your right breast
Move your fingers in small circles, covering the entire breast from top to bottom and side to side
Use light, medium, and firm pressure to feel all levels of breast tissue
Check from the collarbone to the top of the abdomen and from the armpit to the cleavage
Include the armpit area and the area around the nipple
Repeat the same steps on the left breast using your right hand
Gently squeeze each nipple to check for discharge
Feel for lumps, thickening, hard areas, or pain
Report any new lump, nipple discharge, skin changes, or persistent pain to a healthcare professional
Perform the exam regularly so you know what is normal for you