Be Breast Aware
How to Check Your Breasts Yourself
Breast Self-Examination
Regularly observing the condition of your breasts helps you better understand your body and notice any changes more quickly. Breast self-monitoring is a simple way to detect changes early and seek medical advice if needed.
It is important to understand that self-examination does not replace medical screening, but it can be a helpful habit for taking care of your health.
Many specialists, including experts from Mayo Clinic and the National Breast Cancer Foundation, recommend that women regularly pay attention to the appearance and feel of their breasts.
How a Bra Fitter Can Help Notice Changes
A bra fitter is a professional specializing in bra fitting who, in addition to determining the correct size and style of lingerie, has basic knowledge of breast anatomy and skills in visual and tactile assessment of breast tissue.
During a bra fitting, many women begin to pay closer attention to the shape and features of their breasts.
It can be helpful to perform a small self-check in situations such as:
before trying on a new bra
when changing bra size
if there is new asymmetry or discomfort
A professional bra fitter does not provide medical diagnoses. However, they can gently point out unusual changes and, if necessary, recommend consulting a healthcare professional.
In some countries, bra fitters also receive additional training on breast health and may participate in awareness programs for breast cancer prevention and early detection.
Check Your Breasts Regularly
Become familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel. A monthly self-check can help you notice changes earlier and take action if needed.
Pay Attention to Changes
Do not ignore signs such as lumps, skin changes, persistent pain, nipple discharge, or swelling. Most changes are not serious, but it is always best to consult a healthcare professional.
Schedule Regular Medical Check-Ups
Routine examinations with a doctor and recommended screening tests such as mammography or ultrasound are important for early detection and breast health monitoring.
Choose Comfortable, Well-Fitting Lingerie
A properly fitted bra helps you stay aware of your breast shape and comfort. Sometimes changes in breast tissue become noticeable through changes in how your bra fits.
Methods of Early Detection of Breast Cancer
Early detection usually includes several levels of monitoring.
Breast Awareness
This is a simple habit of knowing how your breasts normally look and feel. When you are familiar with your normal breast condition, it is easier to notice new changes.
Breast Self-Examination
This is a more structured way to check your breasts. It involves a visual inspection and palpation (feeling the breast tissue) that you can perform yourself about once a month.
Clinical Breast Exam
Regular examinations by a gynecologist or breast specialist can help detect changes that may be difficult to notice on your own.
Medical Screening
If necessary, a doctor may recommend diagnostic tests such as:
Mammography
Breast ultrasound
MRI
Biopsy
These methods help clarify the diagnosis and detect changes at early stages.
When Is the Best Time to Perform a Breast Self-Examination?
The best time depends on your hormonal cycle.
If You Have a Menstrual Cycle
The optimal time is 3–7 days after your period ends. During this time, the breasts are usually less tender and less swollen.
After Menopause
Choose the same day each month to perform the examination. This helps maintain regularity.
The most important rule is consistency.
Breast cancer is currently the most common cancer diagnosed in women worldwide.
2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer globally in 2022.
The disease occurs in almost every country in the world.
About 1 in 20 women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime.
Although treatment outcomes have improved, breast cancer remains a major cause of death.
Around 670,000 women died from breast cancer worldwide in 2022.
Mortality rates are significantly higher in countries with limited access to early detection and treatment.
Experts predict that breast cancer will continue to increase globally.
By 2050, the world may see 3.2 million new cases per year.
Annual deaths could reach 1.1 million.
This represents an increase of about 38% in new cases compared with current numbers.
Step-by-Step Guide to Breast Self-Examination
A self-exam usually takes about 5–10 minutes.
It includes two stages:
visual inspection
palpation (feeling the breast tissue)
Step 1. Visual Inspection in Front of a Mirror
Stand in front of a mirror with your chest uncovered.
Look at your breasts in several positions:
arms relaxed at your sides
hands on hips
arms raised overhead
slightly leaning forward
Pay attention to:
changes in breast size or shape
new asymmetry
skin dimpling or indentations
redness
thickening of the skin
changes in nipple position
Step 2. Examine the Nipples
Carefully inspect the nipple area.
Watch for:
nipple inversion
scaling or peeling skin
cracks
any discharge
Step 3. Palpation While Standing or in the Shower
Many people prefer to do this part in the shower, as water helps fingers move more easily over the skin.
How to perform palpation:
- Use the pads of the three middle fingers.
- Make small circular motions.
- Check the breast using different levels of pressure:
- light pressure — surface tissue
- medium pressure — middle tissue
- deeper pressure — closer to the chest wall
Make sure to check:
- the entire breast area
- the area from the collarbone to the bottom of the breast
- the underarm (axillary) area
Step 4. Palpation While Lying Down
Lie on your back. In this position the breast tissue spreads more evenly.
Place a small pillow under your shoulder.
Raise one arm behind your head.
Use the opposite hand to examine the breast.
Repeat on the other side.
Do not forget to check:
- the underarm area
- the area between the breast and the collarbone
Breast cancer affects millions of families every year.
On average, four women are diagnosed with breast cancer every minute worldwide.
Approximately one woman dies from the disease every minute.
Breast cancer can occur at any adult age, but the risk rises over time.
Most cases occur in women over 50 years old.
Around 71% of new cases are diagnosed in women aged 50+
Early detection dramatically improves survival rates. When breast cancer is detected at an early localized stage, the 5-year survival rate is about 99%.
Many breast cancers detected at an early stage are highly treatable.
Changes That Should Prompt a Doctor’s Visit
Consult a healthcare professional if you notice:
a lump or thickening in the breast
changes in breast shape
skin dimpling
redness or swelling
nipple discharge
persistent localized pain
a lump in the underarm
It is important to remember that most lumps turn out to be benign, but any change should be discussed with a medical professional.
Important to Remember
Breast self-examination is not a diagnostic tool, but a habit of self-care.
It does not replace:
regular medical examinations
mammography
professional medical diagnostics
However, it helps you become more familiar with your body and notice changes sooner.
Medical Information Notice
The information on this page is provided for educational purposes and is based on publicly available recommendations from recognized medical organizations and oncology resources, including the Mayo Clinic, National Breast Cancer Foundation, and MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Guidance is also consistent with general breast health awareness recommendations published by organizations such as the American Cancer Society and the World Health Organization.
These organizations emphasize the importance of breast awareness and early detection practices as part of overall breast health.
The purpose of this guide is to help readers better understand how to observe normal breast changes and how a basic breast self-examination may be performed. The content summarizes widely accepted educational recommendations and does not represent original medical advice.
Medical Disclaimer
This material is intended for informational and educational purposes only.
It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it should not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional such as a physician, gynecologist, or breast specialist.
Breast self-examination and breast awareness can help individuals become familiar with the normal look and feel of their breasts and notice potential changes earlier. However, these practices cannot diagnose breast cancer or other medical conditions.
If you notice any unusual changes in your breasts — such as a lump, persistent pain, skin changes, nipple discharge, or swelling — you should seek medical evaluation from a licensed healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Regular professional screening, including clinical examinations and imaging tests such as mammography when recommended by a healthcare professional, remains an important part of breast health monitoring.
Medical References
For more information about breast health and self-examination, consult the following trusted medical resources:
Mayo Clinic — Breast self-exam guide
National Breast Cancer Foundation — Breast self-exam instructions
MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — Breast self-examination overview
American Cancer Society — Breast cancer early detection recommendations
5 Normal Breast Features That Should Not Cause Alarm
Slight asymmetry — one breast may be slightly larger or positioned higher than the other.
Different nipple shapes — the shape and position of the nipples can vary.
Soft lumps or firm areas — often normal glandular tissue.
Temporary swelling or tenderness — linked to the menstrual cycle.
Mild puffiness or skin changes — may occur with weight fluctuations or hormonal changes.
Important: Any sudden or new changes should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
When Breast Changes Are Normal
Breasts can change with age, after pregnancy, or during breastfeeding.
Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle may cause temporary swelling and tenderness.
Seasonal or weight changes can affect breast volume and shape.
Mild asymmetry or slight changes in skin texture are usually not a cause for concern.
Tip: Regular awareness of your breasts helps quickly notice changes that may require medical attention.
7 Signs of a Well-Fitting Bra
Cups fully cover the breasts without any wrinkles or gaping.
Underwires sit snugly without digging into the tissue.
Straps comfortably support the breasts without digging into the shoulders.
The back band stays horizontal across the back.
No discomfort or tightness under the bust.
Breasts stay inside the cups during movement.
The bra provides support while allowing free movement.
Important: A properly fitting bra helps notice changes in breast shape and increases comfort in daily life.