Breast self-exams in 3 easy steps

Adult women of all ages are encouraged to perform breast self-exams once a month.

“It’s an easy thing to do,” said Dr. Stacey Sperlingas, a Marshfield Clinic family medicine physician. “Breast self-exams are a good screening tool to use in conjunction with mammograms.”

Mammograms are the most reliable way to detect breast cancer and you should follow your doctor’s screening recommendations. However, some breast cancers are found by self-exam rather than by mammography.

Self-exams help you become familiar with how your breasts look and feel so you can let your health care provider know about any changes as soon as you notice them.

Breast self-exams don’t take much time, and you only have to do them once a month.

Perform the exam midway through your menstrual cycle (about a week after your period ends), when your breasts are less likely to be swollen and tender. If you no longer have periods, choose a day of the month you can remember to perform an exam and make a note in your calendar or cellphone.

See below for a 3 step guide on how to perform a self-exam.

“If you notice breast changes, you should be worried enough to let your doctor know, but you don’t need to lose sleep,” Sperlingas said.

Breast changes are a normal result of aging and changing hormone levels. Most changes aren’t cancer, but don’t wait until your next doctor’s appointment or mammogram to get them checked.