How to Check Your Breast Lumps or Cancer at Home

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women, but the good news is that early detection can significantly improve the chances of successful treatment. One of the most effective ways to monitor your breast health is by regularly checking for lumps or any unusual changes in your breasts. Conducting a breast self-exam at home is a simple and essential practice that can help you detect potential problems early, allowing you to seek professional medical advice if needed.

In this blog post, we'll guide you through how to check for breast lumps at home, the signs to look for, and how regular self-exams can help detect breast cancer early.

Why Checking for Breast Lumps at Home is Important

Checking your breasts for lumps or changes is a proactive step toward maintaining your breast health. While not all lumps are cancerous, noticing a new lump or change in your breast can be an early sign of breast cancer or other health conditions. Early detection of breast cancer is critical, as it increases the chances of successful treatment and can help avoid more advanced stages of cancer.

Regular breast self-exams help you become familiar with your breasts' normal texture, size, and shape, so you can spot any unusual changes that may occur. It's also important to remember that not all breast lumps are cancerous; many are benign (non-cancerous). However, any new lump or change in your breast should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

How to Check for Breast Lumps at Home

Performing a breast self-exam at home is simple and can be done in a few easy steps. Here's how to check for breast lumps:

1. Visual Inspection

Stand in front of a mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms relaxed at your sides. Look for any noticeable changes in the shape, size, or appearance of your breasts. Pay attention to:

• Changes in the size or shape of the breast
• Any redness, swelling, or skin dimpling
• Nipple inversion (when the nipple turns inward) or discharge
• Unusual lumps or bumps on the breast or underarm area

2. Palpation (Feeling for Lumps)

To feel for lumps, use the pads of your fingers (not the tips) and apply gentle pressure to your breasts. Perform the following steps:

• Start at the outer edge of one breast and gently work toward the nipple in a circular motion.
• Be sure to check the entire breast, including the upper and lower areas, and the underarm (axillary) region, as lumps can also form in the lymph nodes under the arm.
• Use light, medium, and firm pressure to feel all layers of the breast tissue.

3. Lying Down

Lying down helps to spread the breast tissue evenly across the chest, making it easier to detect any lumps. To do this:

• Lie flat on your back and place a small pillow or towel under your right shoulder.
• With your right arm behind your head, use your left hand to feel the right breast, starting from the outer edges and working your way inwards.
• Repeat the same steps for your left breast.

4. The Upper Outer Breast Area

It's important to thoroughly check the upper outer part of your breast, as this is where most breast lumps tend to develop.

Refer to: 5 Steps to Do a Breast Exam

What to Look For During Your Self-Exam

When checking for lumps or signs of breast cancer, look for these warning signs:

• Lumps: A lump that feels different from the surrounding tissue. Even if the lump feels hard or firm, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s cancerous. However, you should always have it evaluated by a doctor.
• Changes in the Skin Texture: Look for any dimpling, puckering, or a "peau d'orange" (orange peel-like) appearance, which can be a sign of advanced breast cancer.
• Changes in Nipple: Pay attention to any inversion (nipple pulling inward) or discharge (other than breast milk).
• Pain: Breast cancer often doesn't cause pain in its early stages, but if you experience persistent or unusual pain, it should not be ignored.

How Often Should You Check for Breast Lumps?

You should perform a breast self-exam at least once a month. The best time to check is about a week after your period ends when your breasts are least likely to be tender. If you're postmenopausal or no longer have periods, choose the same day each month to perform your self-exam.

When to See a Doctor

If you find a lump or notice any other unusual changes in your breasts during a self-exam, don’t panic. The majority of breast lumps are benign (non-cancerous). However, you should still see a healthcare provider to have it evaluated. It's always better to be safe and have any new lumps, thickening, or changes checked out as soon as possible.

The Role of Breast Self-Exam Models in Learning and Practice

For many women, learning how to properly check for breast lumps can be a bit tricky. This is why breast self-exam models are so helpful. Medical institutions and health organizations often use realistic breast self-exam simulators and breast lump models to teach individuals how to detect lumps and identify other abnormal signs in the breast.

These models simulate different types of lumps and tissue changes, providing an opportunity for users to practice and familiarize themselves with the process before performing a self-exam on themselves. For example, the Breast Self-Exam Simulator and the Left Breast Lump Model for Self-Exam offered by Ultrassist are designed to enhance learning by accurately simulating real-world conditions.

By practicing on these models, women can gain confidence and improve their technique, ensuring they can perform a thorough and effective self-exam when the time comes.