Feeling Myself: How To Do a Self Breast Exam

We all know that we SHOULD do a monthly self breast exam. But how many of us actually do them? Probably not many. Why?

I’m guessing there are a lot of reasons:

• We forget. Life gets in the way… family, career, school, kids, Netflix binge – you name it.
• We don’t have time. We pack our days to the brim with responsibilities and for some reason find it difficult to make time to care for ourselves. Probably also Netflix.
• We don’t know how. What exactly IS a self breast exam (SBE) anyway? What are the steps? Am I doing it right?
• We’re scared. What do I do if I ACTUALLY find something?

Don’t stress! I’m here to break a SBE down for you in 4 easy steps that you can do in 5 minutes. I’ll also let you know what to do if you find something that worries you. Here we go!

STEP 1: Check yourself out in the mirror

Yep, it’s just that easy. Put your HANDS ON YOUR HIPS and channel your inner Britney.

What to look for:

• Are your breasts their usual SIZE, SHAPE and COLOR?  
• Are they evenly shaped without SWELLING or DISTORTION? 
• Do you see DIMPLING, PUCKERING, BULGING of the skin? 
• Is your nipple INVERTED or has it CHANGED POSITION? 

Green means move to STEP TWO, Red means call your OBGYN.

STEP 2: Raise the roof

Maybe don’t follow Sarah Palin’s lead, but let’s say do the Tina Fay and put your HAND OVER YOUR HEAD.

What to look for:

• Repeat STEP ONE 
• Is any FLUID coming out of either nipple (watery, milky, yellow or blood) 

Green means move to STEP TWO, Red means call your OBGYN.

STEPS 3 & 4: Start FEELING YOURSELF

Now be like Nicki and Beyonce and start feeling your girls.

How to do it:

• LAY DOWN;
• Put one HAND BEHIND YOUR HEAD and use the OTHER HAND to make small, firm, CIRCULAR MOTIONS (about the size of a quarter) with your fingers over the entire breast.

After you’re finished, REPEAT STEP THREE while in the SHOWER!

How to do it:

• RAISE ONE HAND OVER YOUR HEAD and use the OTHER HAND to make small, firm CIRCULAR MOTIONS (about the size of a quarter) with your fingers over the entire breast.

There’s no “perfect” way to do it. Just get to know your body! This is your chance to know the “neighborhood” of your breasts. Every woman’s body is different.

What to do if you find a LUMP?

• DON’T PANIC. Most women have “lumps” or “lumpy areas” naturally in their breasts. And most lumps turn out to be benign (not cancerous). That is why it is important to get to know YOUR NORMAL and the “terrain” of your own breasts. That way, in the future, you will know immediately if something has changed.
• But do not hesitate to CALL YOUR DOCTOR (OBGYN) if you find a lump that worries you or if you notice a change in your breasts over time. Early detection saves lives, so always err on the side of caution!

Now that wasn’t so scary was it? Here is your #SelfExamGram reminder to TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF and spare a few minutes to know your normal and to remind others to do the same. You might just save a life – your friend’s or your own!

Want to be part of the #SelfExamGram Fam?! Share a photo or video on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter with the hashtag #SelfExamGram and be part of a global movement in the fight against breast cancer! And tag me to be featured on my page! Click Here

As always, thanks for tuning in to All-in with Allyn!

XOXO, Allyn