What you're looking for when you check your breasts
Checking your breasts means looking at them and feeling them for anything that seems different from how they normally feel or look. You're not trying to diagnose cancer yourself—you're learning what's normal for your body so you notice if something changes. Most breast changes are not cancer, but changes are worth mentioning to your doctor.
The changes that matter most are a lump or thickening, dimpling or puckering of the skin, discharge from the nipple (especially if it's bloody or happens in only one breast), redness or scaling, or pain in one spot that doesn't go away. Size doesn't tell you much—some lumps are small and some are large—but a new lump or one that feels different from the rest of the breast tissue is worth reporting.
You may also notice changes in how your breast looks: one breast becoming noticeably larger, the skin looking like an orange peel, or the nipple turning inward. Swelling, warmth, or redness can happen for reasons other than cancer, but they're still worth mentioning to your doctor if they don't resolve on their own.
Key Takeaways
- Regular breast self-checks help you know what's normal for your body so you can spot changes early and report them to your doctor.
- A new lump, dimpling, nipple discharge, or skin changes are the main signs to watch for, though most of these are not cancer.
- The best time to check is a few days after your period starts, when breast swelling is usually lowest.
- Your doctor should evaluate any change that lasts more than a few weeks or feels different from the rest of your breast tissue.
- Mammograms and ultrasounds are separate from self-checks and are ordered by your doctor based on your age and risk factors.
How to do a visual check
Stand in front of a mirror with your arms at your sides and look at both breasts. Notice the size, shape, and color. Then raise your arms above your head and look again—this position can make dimpling or skin changes easier to see. Next, put your hands on your hips and press firmly, which tightens the chest muscles and can show skin changes more clearly.
Look for dimpling, puckering, or skin that looks like an orange peel. Check whether the nipples point the same direction or if one has turned inward. Look for redness, scaling, or a rash. If you see anything that looks different from how your breasts normally look, write down what you see and when you noticed it, then mention it at your next doctor visit.
How to do a physical check with your hands
Lie on your back on a bed. This spreads the breast tissue evenly across your chest and makes it easier to feel. Use the pads of your three middle fingers (not the tips) to feel your breast. You can use a circular motion, moving in small circles from the outside of the breast toward the nipple, or you can move your fingers up and down in vertical lines. Some people find one method easier than the other—use whichever works for you.
Use light pressure to feel the tissue just under the skin, medium pressure for the tissue in the middle of the breast, and firm pressure to feel the tissue closest to the ribs. You should feel your ribs underneath. Check the entire breast, including the area up toward your collarbone and into your armpit, where breast tissue extends. Then repeat on the other side.
You can also check your breasts while you're in the shower or bath, when your skin is wet and your fingers slide more easily. Some people prefer this method because it's part of their routine.
When to check and how often
If you menstruate, the best time to check is a few days after your period starts, when your breasts are least likely to be swollen or tender. If you don't menstruate, pick a day each month—the first day of the month works well as a reminder. You don't need to check every day; once a month is enough to notice changes.
If you're past menopause or have had a hysterectomy, checking once a month on a day you choose is still useful. If you're on hormone therapy, your breasts may feel different at different times of the month, so checking regularly helps you learn what's normal for you.
What to do if you notice a change
Write down what you noticed, where it is on your breast, when you first saw or felt it, and whether it's in one breast or both. If the change is still there after a few weeks, or if it's getting bigger or more noticeable, call your doctor and describe what you found. You don't need to wait for your annual appointment—call sooner if something concerns you.
Your doctor will examine you and may order imaging tests like a mammogram or ultrasound if they think it's necessary. These tests are different from self-checks and are ordered based on your age, symptoms, and medical history. Most changes turn out to be benign (not cancer), but your doctor is the right person to evaluate them.
Breast self-checks versus screening mammograms
A self-check is something you do at home to notice changes in your own breasts. A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast ordered by your doctor, usually as part of routine screening or because you reported a symptom. They serve different purposes: self-checks help you know your body, and mammograms look for changes too small to feel.
Whether you should have routine mammograms depends on your age and risk factors. Your doctor can discuss what screening makes sense for you. Some organizations recommend starting at age 40, others at age 50, and some recommend individualized decisions based on your risk. Self-checks don't replace mammograms, and mammograms don't replace self-checks—they work together.
Risk factors that matter for your doctor
Tell your doctor if you have a family history of breast cancer, especially in a parent, sibling, or child. Also mention if you had your first period before age 12, if you went through menopause after age 55, if you've never been pregnant, if you had your first child after age 30, or if you've used hormone therapy for more than five years. These factors don't mean you will get breast cancer, but they help your doctor decide what screening is right for you.
Other factors include previous breast biopsies, a diagnosis of lobular carcinoma in situ or ductal carcinoma in situ, radiation to the chest before age 30, or certain genetic mutations. If any of these apply to you, your doctor may recommend more frequent screening or different types of imaging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get breast cancer if I don't feel a lump?
Yes. Some cancers don't form a lump you can feel—they may show up as skin changes, nipple discharge, or dimpling. This is one reason mammograms are important for screening: they can find changes too small to feel. If you notice any change in how your breast looks or feels, report it to your doctor even if you don't feel a distinct lump.
What if my breasts are naturally lumpy?
Lumpy breast tissue is common and usually benign. The point of regular self-checks is to learn what's normal for you, so you notice when something new appears or when an existing lump changes size or texture. If you're unsure whether a lump is new or has always been there, your doctor can examine you and clarify.
Does caffeine cause breast lumps?
Research has not found a clear link between caffeine and breast lumps. Breast tissue naturally changes with your menstrual cycle, and these changes can feel like lumps. If you notice a lump that doesn't go away after your period or that feels different from your normal tissue, mention it to your doctor regardless of your caffeine intake.
How do I know if discharge from my nipple is normal?
Discharge that comes from both breasts, happens when you squeeze the nipple, or is clear or milky is usually not a sign of cancer. Discharge that comes from only one breast, happens without squeezing, is bloody or dark, or is accompanied by a lump or skin change should be reported to your doctor.
Should I check my breasts if I've had breast surgery or reconstruction?
Yes, but the approach may be different. If you've had a mastectomy, you can still check the remaining breast tissue and the surgical area for changes. If you've had reconstruction, your breast will feel different, and your doctor can show you how to check it. Tell your doctor about any surgery you've had so they can examine you appropriately.