- With your shirt off, begin looking at your breast in a mirror, shoulders straight, and arms by your hips. What you should see: your usual breast color, size, evenly shaped and no swelling. What you should NOT see: dimpling, puckering or bulging of the skin, a nipple that changed position or inverted, redness, soreness, rash or swelling
- Raise your arms and look for the same thing as step 1 (notice if there are any changes)
- While in the mirror, look for any type of fluid leaking from the nipple(s) (blood or milky, watery or yellow fluid)
- Lay down with your arm up and feel your breast, Use your right hand to feel the left breast and your left hand to feel the right breast. Keep a firm and smooth touch with your finger pads while keeping them flat, go in a small circular motion all over the breast.
- Proceed to do step 4 again but this time do it while you’re standing or sitting with your arm up
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Symptoms You Should Be Aware Of And What To Do If You Have Them
Once you give yourself a BSE, if you notice any of the symptoms from step 1 that you should NOT see, this is a sign that you need to reach out to a doctor.
If you notice a change in nipple position or inverted nipples, fluid leaking from your nipples, or your breast are experiencing swelling, rashes, redness or soreness, then reach out to a doctor as soon as you can.
Feeling a lump that doesn’t feel like normal breast tissue is also a sign that it’s time to reach out to a doctor (gyno).
To everyone out there with breasts, it’s important to check yourselves out as often as you can remember to do so. Not only can it prevent worsening conditions but it can save your life and build your confidence.