How To Perform Women’s
Breast Cancer Self-checks

Your Video Guide

Video From Hadassah

Your Personal Self-check

Before Starting, Pick-A-Motion (PAM)

The best way to check your breasts each month is to pick-a-motion (PAM) you will use. The three illustrations below will help you make that choice.   

Use the inner pads of the three middle fingers (see red circle on each hand above)). Press into your breasts using light, medium and firm pressure.

Be sure to feel the entire breast with the same motion each month. This will insure that you will pick up any changes in your breasts that may occur.

Now You’re Ready To Start

Experts recommend checking from two positions, lying down and standing up, either in or out of a shower. Here’s how:

Option One: 
Lying Down

• Place a folded towel or pillow under your right shoulder.
• Place your right hand behind your head.
• Using the inner pads of the three middle fingers of your left hand, press into your right breast with light, medium and firm pressure. Start in the center of the breast, from the nipple outwards. Feel for any lumps or thickening on the breast. Continue examining your breast, moving outward to feel for any changes in the upper and outer parts, below and above your breast and in your upper chest area. Continue up to your collarbone and in and around your armpit area.
• Be sure to feel the entire breast with the same motion each month. This will ensure that you will pick up any changes in your breasts that may occur.  Look and feel for any lumps, puckering, dimpling, rash, nipple discharge or any other change that does not seem normal.

Take your time. When you are done, repeat each step on your left breast.

Option Two:
In Front Of Mirror

A. Start with your arms at your sides, then using your PAM motion, use your left hand to feel for any changes in the upper and outer parts of your right breast and below and above the breast in your upper chest area. Continue up to your collarbone and in and around your armpit area. Then use your right hand to chec your left breast and surrounding area.

B. With arms behind your head, look for any changes in the size, shape and color of your breasts.

C. Arms pressed firmly against hips, bend forward and look and feel for any lumps, puckering  dimpling, rash, nipple discharge or any other change that does not seem normal.

Option Three:
In The Shower

• Make sure your hand is soapy. Place your right hand in back of your head. Using the inner pads of the three middle fingers of your left hand, press into your right breast with light, medium and firm pressure. Start in the center of the breast, from the nipple outwards. Feel for any lumps or thickening on the breast.
• Continue examining your breast, moving outward to feel for any changes in the upper and outer parts, below and above your breast and in your upper chest area.
• Continue up to your collarbone and in and around your armpit area. Keep looking and feeling for any lumps, puckering, dimpling, rash, nipple discharge or any other change that does not seem normal.

Take your time. When you are done, repeat each step on your left breast.