Take atleast 10-15 minutes each month to check your breasts. The best time to do so is immediately after your periods. After menopause keep a fixed day to carry out the breast examination.
Examine your breast in a mirror for any change in size, any nipple changes or any discharge.
Raise your hands above your head and examine the breast leading to the armpit for any swelling or skin puckering.
Lower and raise your arms while watching your nipples, do they move the same or not.
Lean forward and examine each breast for change in outline, puckering, dimpling of the skin or retraction of the nipple.
Lying down examine each breast with the flat of your hand to feel for any lumps, thick or bumpy area. Don't press too hard or too lightly.
Slide your hand over the breast above the nipple starting at the armpit, moving inwards. Feel for lumps. Keep moving your hand across the nipple till you have felt all parts of the breast.
Feel for lumps along top of collarbone and in armpit.
Examine each breast separately and if you detect anything, consult the doctor immediately.
Remember, only one in every 10 lumps found worthy of investigation for cancer may prove malignant.