Breast self-test at home

BEFORE A MIRROR
• Firmly press your hands down on your hips to tighten your chest muscles
• Look carefully for any changes in the size, shape, or contour of your breasts
• Check for anything unusual discharge, puckering, dimpling, or changes in skin texture.

LYING DOWN
• Lie flat on your back and place your left hand behind your head and a pillow under your left shoulder
• Use the finger pads of the 3 middle fingers on your right hand to make overlapping dime-sized circular motions to feel your left breast
• Apply 3 different levels of pressure light, medium, andfirm with your finger pads to check the breast tissue
• Use each pressure level to feel for lumps before moving to the next spot
• Start by your armpit and move down to just below your breast Use the same circular motions using an up-and-down pattern to cover the entire breast area
• Repeat on your right breast using your left hand

SITTING OR STANDING
• Raise your arm slightly
• Use the same circular motions with your fingerpads to examine each underarm.

Report any lumps or changes to your doctor.