Look for any new lump or thickening in the breast or underarm
Check for swelling in part or all of the breast
Notice any change in breast size, shape, or symmetry
Watch for skin dimpling, puckering, redness, or rash
Check for nipple changes such as turning inward, pain, or discharge
Feel for a lump or hard area in the breast or armpit
Examine both breasts in front of a mirror with arms at your sides, raised, and pressed on your hips
Use the pads of your fingers to feel the entire breast in a circular, up-and-down, or wedge pattern
Check the area from the collarbone to the upper abdomen and from the center of the chest to the armpit
Perform the exam regularly at the same time each month if you still menstruate, or on a chosen day each month if you do not
Seek medical evaluation promptly if you notice any unusual change
Follow recommended clinical breast screening such as mammograms based on age and risk
Ask a healthcare professional about genetic or high-risk screening if you have a strong family history or other risk factors