Breast self-examination should be a regular part of your health routine, and should ideally be performed once a month.
The best time for a breast check is a 1 week after your menstrual period, as this is the part of you menstrual cycle when your breasts are least swollen and tender.
If your are postmenopausal , simply choose the same time of every month (i.e first or last day of the month) to perform your breast exam. Post menopausal women should also undergo regular mammogram to screen for breast cancer.
Breast self-examination is also important if you have breast implants.
If you find any abnormalities on breast self examination, or if you are at risk of breast cancer, schedule an appointment as soon as possible with your doctor.
(Read here for more info about breast cancer.)
5 Steps – Breast Self-Examination
Step 1: Stand in front of the mirror with hands on your hips.
Look for:
Shape: Compare one to the other.
One breast may normally be larger than the other, but sudden changes in size should not occur.
Skin: Check for rash, redness, puckering, dimpling, or orange-peel-textured appearance.
Nipples: Check for any physical changes such as a sudden inversion, scaliness, redness, itching, swelling, discharge or bleeding.
Vein patterns: Look for a noticeable increase in size or number of veins compared to the other breast.
Step 2: Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes.
Look for:
Shape: Compare one to the other.
One breast may normally be larger than the other, but sudden changes in size should not occur.
Skin: Check for rash, redness, puckering, dimpling, or orange-peel-textured appearance.
Nipples: Check for any physical changes such as a sudden inversion, scaliness, redness, itching, swelling, discharge or bleeding.
Vein patterns: Look for a noticeable increase in size or number of veins compared to the other breast.
Step 3: Next, feel your breasts while raising your arm.
Use your right hand to feel your left breast.
Keep the fingers together, and flat against the skin.
Apply firm pressure to the breast, using circular motions starting from the outer breast towards the nipple.
Repeat the process on the other side.
Step 4: Next, feel your underarms.
Roll your shoulder forward and feel your underarm area for enlarged lymph nodes . Also check the area above and below the collar bone .
Repeat on the other side.
Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower.
Step 5: Finally, feel your breasts while lying down.
Finally, feel your breasts while lying down.
Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in step 3 & 4.
Frequently asked questions
1.) Am I at risk of getting breast cancer?
You would have higher risk of getting breast cancer if you have:
- A family member with breast cancer
- A family member under age of 40 with breast cancer
- A family member with cancer ; especially cancer of the ovary and colon.
2.) Can you get breast cancer if you wear a bra all the time, or when your partner caresses them?
No, you cannot get breast cancer from these things.
What you wear and how your breasts are touched do not affect your risk for breast cancer.
Do I need to perform Mammogram?
Mammogram can detect tumours before they can be felt, so screening is key for early detection.
If you’re above 40, you should visit the doctor for a yearly clinical breast examination.
On top of this, you are recommended to go for a yearly mammography screening if you’re 40 years old and above, and twice yearly if you’re 50 years old and above.
Women age below 40 years of age to perform screening mammogram unless she has a family history of breast cancer.
Call our partner clinics at +65 6976 5023 or drop them an email at hello@dtapclinic.com.sg to book an appointment with their doctor today.
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Having Women’s Health concerns? Please visit or contact our partner clinics at their Clinics in Singapore. They are open on weekends too.
For more information, please visit DTAP Clinic website, www.dtapclinic.com or email them at hello@dtapclinic.com.sg
