What you are looking for when you examine your breasts

Breast self-examination means looking at and feeling your breasts regularly to notice any changes from what is normal for you. You are not trying to diagnose cancer—you are learning what your breasts look and feel like so you can spot something genuinely different and report it to a doctor.

Changes that warrant a call to your doctor include a new lump or thickening, dimpling or puckering of the skin, redness or rash, discharge from the nipple (especially if it is bloody), nipple inversion (turning inward when it was not before), or persistent pain in one spot. Size and shape differences between breasts are normal. Lumps that come and go with your cycle are common, especially in younger people.

The goal is not perfection or catching every tiny thing—it is noticing what is new or different for you. A lump you have had for years that has not changed is different from a lump that appeared last month.

Key Takeaways

  • Breast self-examination means looking and feeling your breasts regularly to notice changes, not to diagnose anything yourself.
  • The best time to examine is a few days after your period starts, when breast swelling and tenderness are usually lowest.
  • Use your fingertips to feel all breast tissue in a pattern—circles, lines, or wedges—so you cover the whole area including the armpit.
  • Report any new lump, dimpling, discharge, or skin change to your doctor, but do not panic; most breast changes are not cancer.
  • If you have had breast surgery, implants, or reconstruction, you can still examine yourself; ask your doctor what to expect in your scar tissue.

When and how often to examine yourself

There is no single rule that works for everyone. Some people examine monthly; others do it less often. The key is doing it regularly enough that you know what normal feels like for you, so a real change stands out.

If you menstruate, the best time is a few days after your period starts, when hormone-driven swelling and tenderness are usually lowest. If you do not menstruate or have irregular periods, pick a day each month—the first of the month, for example—and stick with it. After menopause, breast tissue changes, but you can still examine yourself the same way.

Do not worry about doing it "perfectly" or on an exact schedule. Consistency matters more than precision. If you go two months without checking and then remember, that is fine—just start again.

The step-by-step examination: looking

Stand in front of a mirror with your arms at your sides. Look at the size, shape, and color of each breast. Check for dimpling, puckering, or skin that looks different—like an orange peel texture or a rash. Look at your nipples: are they the same as usual, or has one turned inward?

Now raise your arms above your head and look again. Then place your hands on your hips and look a third time. These positions change how the chest muscles pull on the skin, so changes may show up in one position but not another.

If you see something new—redness, a dent, or a change in how the skin looks—write down what you see and when you noticed it. Take a photo if you can. This information helps your doctor understand what changed.

The step-by-step examination: feeling

Lie on your back on a bed or couch. This spreads the breast tissue thin, making lumps easier to feel. Use the flat pads of your three middle fingers (not your fingertips, which are too sensitive to small areas). Start with your right breast.

Choose a pattern and stick with it so you cover all the tissue. One common pattern is circles: start at the outer edge and move in smaller and smaller circles toward the nipple. Another is vertical lines: start at the outer edge and move your fingers up and down in lines, moving across the breast. A third is wedges: imagine the breast divided into pie slices and feel each wedge from the outside in. Any pattern works as long as you cover the whole breast, including the area under the arm.

Use light pressure for the tissue just under the skin, medium pressure for the tissue in the middle, and firm pressure for the tissue closer to the chest wall. You should be able to feel down to the rib cage. Repeat on your left breast using your right hand.

Also feel your armpit and the area above your collarbone, where lymph nodes can swell. Gently squeeze the nipple to check for discharge.

What to do if you find something

Finding a lump or change does not mean you have cancer. Most breast changes are benign—cysts, fibroadenomas, or hormonal swelling. But you should report it to your doctor so they can examine you and decide whether imaging (like an ultrasound or mammogram) is needed.

Call your doctor's office and describe what you found: where it is, what it feels like, whether it is tender, and when you first noticed it. Write this down before you call so you do not forget details. Your doctor may want to see you within a week or two, or they may want to wait and see if it changes.

Do not assume it will go away on its own or convince yourself it is nothing. A professional examination is the only way to know. If your doctor does not take your concern seriously, you can ask for a second opinion or request imaging anyway.

Breast examination after surgery or reconstruction

If you have had breast surgery, a lumpectomy, a mastectomy, or reconstruction, you can still examine yourself. Scar tissue feels different from normal breast tissue—it may be firm, numb, or have a different texture. Ask your surgeon what to expect in your scar area so you know what is normal for you.

If you have breast implants, you can feel around them and check the skin for changes. Implants can make it harder to feel deep tissue, but you can still notice lumps near the surface or changes in the skin itself. If you have had one breast removed, examine the remaining breast and the chest wall where the other breast was.

After reconstruction, your breast may not feel or look exactly like it did before, and that is expected. The goal is still the same: notice what is new or different from what you see and feel now.

When clinical breast exams and imaging matter

Self-examination is one tool, but it is not a substitute for a doctor's examination or screening mammograms. A clinical breast exam by a healthcare provider can find things you might miss, and mammograms can detect changes too small to feel.

Talk to your doctor about whether you need regular mammograms, ultrasounds, or MRI based on your age, family history, and personal risk. Screening recommendations vary by age and risk level, and your doctor can help you understand what makes sense for you.

Self-examination is most useful as a way to stay aware of your own body and catch changes early. It works best alongside professional screening, not instead of it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal to find a lump that comes and goes?

Yes, especially if you menstruate. Hormonal changes cause breast tissue to swell and become lumpy before your period, and these lumps often shrink or disappear after. If a lump appears and stays, or if it is in the same spot every month and feels different, mention it to your doctor.

What if I cannot feel my breasts well because they are large or dense?

Density and size make self-examination harder but not impossible. Use firm pressure and take your time. Talk to your doctor about whether you need additional screening like ultrasound or MRI, since dense breast tissue can hide changes on mammograms.

Can men get breast cancer and should they examine themselves?

Yes, men can develop breast cancer, though it is rare. Men can examine themselves the same way—looking for lumps, dimpling, or nipple discharge. If you are a man and find a change, report it to your doctor just as a woman would.

Do I need to examine myself if I have a family history of breast cancer?

Yes, and you should also talk to your doctor about your risk. Family history may mean you need screening to start earlier or happen more often. Self-examination plus professional screening gives you the best chance of catching changes early.

What if my doctor says my lump is nothing but I am still worried?

You can ask for a second opinion or request imaging even if your doctor thinks it is benign. Imaging can give you peace of mind and rule out anything serious. You know your body best, and it is reasonable to want confirmation.