Frequently Asked Questions

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• Get screened
• Don’t use tobacco
• Eat a Variety of Healthy Foods
• Protect Yourself from the Sun
• Stay active and maintain a healthy weight.
• Consider other possible cancer-fighting strategies.

 In The Shower Fingers flat, move gently over every part of the breast. Check for any lump, hard knot or thickening. 

 In The Mirror Inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides. Next, raise your arms high overhead and look for any changes in contour of each breast, a swelling, dimpling of skin, or changes in the nipple. 

 Then, rest palms on hips and press down firmly to flex your chest muscles. Left and right breast will not match exactly—few women’s breasts do. Regular inspection shows what is normal for you and will give you confidence in your examination. 

 Lying Down To examine your right breast, put a pillow or folded towel under your right shoulder. Place your right hand behind your head—this distributes breast tissue more evenly on the chest. 

 With your left hand, fingers flat, press gently in small circular motions around an imaginary clock face. Begin at outermost top of your right breast for 12 o’clock, then move to 1 o’clock, and so on around the circle back to 12. A ridge of firm tissue in the lower curve of each breast is normal. Then move in an inch, toward the nipple, keep circling to examine every part of your breast including nipple. This requires at least three more circles. Now slowly repeat the procedure on your left breast with a pillow under your left shoulder and left hand behind head. Notice how your breast structure feels. Finally, squeeze the nipple of each breast gently between thumb and index finger. Any discharge, clear or bloody, should be reported to your doctor immediately. 

 In The Shower Check each breast one at a time. Use your right hand fingers to check your left breast and your left hand fingers to check your right breast. With your fingers flat against the breast, press firmly in small clockwise circles. 

 In The Mirror Inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides. Next, raise your arms high overhead and look for any changes in contour of each breast, a swelling, dimpling of skin, or changes in the nipple.  

 Lying Down Lie flat on your back and extend your left arm above your head. Using your right hand, hold your index, middle and ring fingers together like a Boy Scout salute. Place the three-finger salute on the outside of your left breast region and press down gently. 

 Move your fingers in a slow, circular motion that gradually spirals toward the left nipple while focusing for any lumps or irregularities. Look carefully for changes in the size, shape, and contour of each breast, e.g., puckering, dimpling, or changes in skin texture. 

Finally, squeeze the nipple of each breast gently between thumb and index finger. Switch arm and hand positions and examine the right breast. Report any bumps, irregularities, discharge, clear or bloody, or any changes to your doctor immediately.