How to Do a Monthly Breast Self-Exam
How to Do a Monthly Breast Self-Exam In Between Your Annual Mammogram
Your annual mammogram is one of the most powerful tools for early detection – but a lot can happen in the 12 months between screenings. That's where monthly breast self-exams come in. They take just a few minutes, require no equipment, and can help you catch changes early.
Getting to know what's normal for your body is the first step. Once you do, you'll recognize when something isn't.
What to Look For
Start by standing in front of a mirror with your shoulders straight and your hands on your hips. You're looking for your baseline—the size, shape, and color that's normal for you.
Look for any of the following changes:
- Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin
- A nipple that has shifted position or become inverted
- Rash, redness, soreness, or unusual swelling
- Any discharge from the nipple
Once you've done this inspection, raise both arms and repeat. Different arm positions can reveal changes that aren't visible when your arms are at rest. If something looks different from last month—or different from your other breast—take note.
How to Feel for Changes
Next, you'll examine your breasts by touch. This can be done lying down or in the shower, where wet skin makes it easier to feel subtle changes.
Here's the technique:
- Use your right hand to examine your left breast, and your left hand for your right breast
- Keep your fingers flat, firm, and together—use the pads of your first few fingers, not the tips
- Apply enough pressure to feel the deeper tissue, not just the surface
Cover the full area: Move from your collarbone down to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit across to your cleavage.
Choose one of two examination patterns and stick with it each month:
- Circular pattern: Start at the nipple and move outward in increasingly larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast
- Vertical pattern: Move your fingers up and down in rows, like mowing a lawn, working from one side of the breast to the other
Neither method is superior; consistency is what matters most. Using the same pattern each month helps you build a reliable routine and notice deviations more easily.
When Should You Contact a Doctor?
Self-exams are about awareness, not diagnosis. If you notice any of the following, reach out to your doctor promptly:
- A new lump or thickening in the breast or underarm
- Skin changes such as dimpling, redness, or a texture that looks like orange peel
- Nipple discharge that isn't related to breastfeeding
- A nipple that has recently become inverted
- Unexplained pain in one specific area
Most changes turn out to be benign—a cyst, hormonal fluctuation, or normal breast tissue. But new changes always deserve a professional evaluation. Your doctor may refer you for a diagnostic mammogram, which captures more detailed images of a specific area.
Your Health Is Worth Five Minutes a Month
A monthly breast self-exam doesn't replace your annual mammogram, it strengthens it. Together, they create a fuller picture of your breast health throughout the year.
If you're 40 or older and haven't yet scheduled your annual screening, now is a good time to do it. At Solis Mammography, our breast-specialized team is here to support you every step of the way. Schedule your mammogram at Solis Mammography today.