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How to Do a Breast Self-Exam

09/30/25
A monthly breast self-exam may help people of any age detect breast cancer early.

While mammograms are the best screening tool for breast cancer, doing a monthly breast self-exam can help people notice changes in their breasts early, when treatment is most effective.

Here’s how to do one at home.

How to do a breast self-exam

How do you check for breast cancer? A breast self-exam is one of the first actions to take, and it’s relatively easy.

A breast self-exam is a three-step process in which a person checks the appearance and feel of their breasts. The method checks for changes that might indicate the presence of breast cancer.

3 steps

A breast self-exam consists of three parts, which a person can perform in any order. Here’s how to do it:

Mirror test

  • Stand with hands on hips, facing a mirror
  • Examine the bare breasts for visible changes in texture, color, shape or size

Shower test

  • Raise the left arm and put the left palm on the back of the head
  • Use the right hand to examine the left breast, pressing gently, then firmly with the pads of the fingertips to check for lumps
  • Repeat the process on the other side

Lying-down test

  • Lie down with a pillow or towel under one shoulder, with the left arm behind the head
  • Use the right hand to check the left breast and armpit area
  • Move the pillow or towel under the other shoulder and repeat the process for the other side

Technique

A person uses their fingertips to gently press onto the breast tissue during the lying-down and shower tests. This is to check for lumps or changes by touch.

There are several techniques to accomplish this. Choose one and use it for each breast self-exam:

  • Circle: Move the fingers in small circles around the breast.
  • Up and down: Move from top to bottom in straight lines.
  • Wedge: Move from the outer edge toward the nipple in sections.

What to look for during a breast self-exam

Here are the signs to look for during a breast self-exam:

  • A new lump
  • Nipple discharge when the nipple is gently squeezed
  • Nipple inversion
  • Skin changes, like dimpling, puckering, scaling, and redness or other color changes
  • A sore spot

It’s important to note that lumpy or bumpy breasts are common, especially in people with dense or fibrocystic breasts. If there are new lumps, a person should contact a medical professional.

What to do if you find signs or symptoms

If a person finds signs or symptoms of breast cancer during a breast self-exam, like a new lump or skin changes, the next step is to contact a doctor right away.

Eight out of 10 breast lumps are not breast cancer, but it’s essential to get them checked.

How to test for breast cancer

Breast self-exams are intended to supplement mammograms and clinical breast exams performed by a healthcare professional, but should not replace them.

Here are a few ways medical professionals test for breast cancer:

  • Mammogram: This is a low dose X-ray that can find changes in breast tissue that may be hard to feel by touch. Mammograms are an essential breast cancer screening tool, especially for people over the age of 40 and those with a higher risk of breast cancer.
  • Clinical breast exam: During an annual physical, a doctor or nurse will gently feel a person’s breasts to check for anything unusual.
  • Additional tests: If a mammogram shows something that needs a closer look, a physician may order additional imaging, such as an MRI or a biopsy.

How often should you do breast self-exams?

Experts recommend performing a breast self-exam about once a month.

  • If a person menstruates: Check a few days after the end of their period.
  • If they don’t menstruate: Perform the self-exam on the same date each month.

Why do breast self-exams?

One purpose of doing regular breast self-exams is for a person to get to know how their breasts typically feel. Doing them regularly helps a person easily identify when the breast tissue or skin has changed.

Takeaway

Monthly breast self-exams are an important way to detect breast cancer early.

A major reason for regular self-exams is to get to know what the breasts usually look and feel like, so it’s easy to identify changes if they occur.

If a person detects visual or physical changes in their breast, it’s important to speak with a physician for further tests.

Crystal Run Healthcare is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of women with breast cancer and those considered high-risk. Our exceptional team of oncologists, along with our skilled breast surgeons and dedicated nursing staff, offer the most comprehensive cancer care and treatment options available. Optum Radiology at Crystal Run Healthcare is an accredited Breast Imaging Center of Excellence as recognized by the American College of Radiology and offers advanced women’s imaging services including digital mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided breast biopsy.