1.      Examine the appearance of your breasts by standing in front of a mirror with (1) your arms at your sides, (2) your arms raised, and (3) your fists on your hips, press down and tighten your chest muscles.  In each position, look for puckering, dimpling or changes in breast size.

2.      Lie in bed. Place a pillow under your left shoulder and your left hand under  your head. Your breast will flatten out.

3.      Use two or three fingers of your right hand to feel for any lumps or thickness in your left breast. Move your fingers up and down as shown in the illustration.  Be sure to examine the entire area from your collarbone to below your breasts and your armpits. Pay special attention to the area between the breast bone and underarm area.

 Women who have had breast surgery attention to the

 chest wall and scar , a frequent site of recurrence.

4.      Go over each part of the breast area three times. First with light pressure, then with medium, and lastly with firm pressure.

5.      Switch arms and examine the right breast using the fingers of the left hand.

6.      You should also do your breast self-exam standing (possibly in the shower). Soap lather reduces friction and can make it easier to feel lumps.

If you find any changes, see your doctor right away.