• Rewards Room
    • You are here
    Home / Body & Health / Feminine products / How-to: give yourself a breast check

    How-to: give yourself a breast check

    Updated:9 May 2015 3:05 PM | Posted by
    Team bh's picture
    Team bh
    Comment

    Each year, around 11,000 Australian women are diagnosed with breast cancer. Early detection is a vital step in successfully treating it, so it’s vital to have a regular breast check and seek medical advice if you notice any changes in your breasts or find a breast lump. Of course, the only way to notice if your breasts have changed is to become familiar with them. Try this simple three-step check in the shower and get to know your breasts, so you can be alert to any changes.

    Step one
    Lift your left arm up so that your left hand is resting behind your head.

    Step two
    Use the pads on the fingertips of your right hand to make small, circular movements over the surface of the breast, starting lightly at first to examine for surface changes, then pressing firmly to feel for deeper abnormalities. Don’t forget to examine the area above your breast – from the collarbone down and out to the armpit.

    Step three
    Switch arms and repeat on the opposite breast.

    Things to remember:
    It’s crucial to conduct your breast check at the same time each month, as your breasts can change throughout the month depending on your hormone cycle. If you still have a period, you should aim to do your breast check 2-3 days after the final day of your period. If you no longer have a period, simply choose a specific day to do your check each month.
    Remember that while self-examination is an effective way for you to become more familiar with your breasts and be aware of changes, it is not a substitute for mammograms. You should still consult your doctor for regular breast screening.

    To make a donation to the Breast Cancer Foundation, go to: www.nbcf.org.au

    59 Member Comments

    Elunia 31 Dec 2017 11:42 PM

    This is a great article thankyou!

    BeautifulJusty 12 Jun 2017 5:53 PM

    Useful to know, thank you.

    emma_mcmuffin 21 Apr 2017 7:28 PM

    Really good info every girl should know! Loving that BH do health-related articles too :)

    Yohanna 2 Mar 2017 2:33 PM

    I have never done the boob check....ah well

    reni267 9 May 2015 3:05 PM

    Great article. I once read that if you lie down you will get a better feel.

    Cherrykisses13 27 Jul 2013 7:28 AM

    Its great that you are making everybody aware of these things BH, as a teenage girl i learn a lot of things that have never been explained to me before.

    sour 15 May 2013 1:53 AM

    good to know. thanks

    Peace.Love.Empathy. 28 Feb 2013 5:05 AM

    THANK YOU SO MUCH!

    aussie_cat87 11 Feb 2013 11:38 AM

    I have been doing self-breast checks since I was 18 (something my mum talked me into as my great grandmother and grandmother both died of breast cancer) and so far so good, nothing irregular.

    Blink182 6 Feb 2013 11:37 AM

    Nice!

    AmberB 6 Feb 2013 9:16 AM

    Thanks for the info!

    Himlt 6 Sep 2012 9:26 PM

    I have passed this on and thanks for the very clear information

    Himlt 19 Aug 2012 6:26 AM

    Thanks for posting this - something everyone should know

    Lovely65 14 Aug 2012 2:15 AM

    Very useful article!Thanks BH!

    Zeynep1 2 Aug 2012 1:55 AM

    this is very helpful information thanks!

    Shodbear 29 Jul 2012 11:47 PM

    Very very important information!! Thanks BH.

    My.Nongy 15 Jun 2012 2:10 PM

    What if you have a really bad memory and can't become familiar with your boobs?

    Alford3097 10 Apr 2012 12:05 PM

    Worthwhile reminder girls.... check your breasts regularly. Breast cancer is indiscriminate!

    Kelly Kalimanis 7 Apr 2012 12:56 AM

    Such a great article. Very informative, thanks beauty heaven!

    FeatheredBeauty 5 Apr 2012 4:07 AM

    I know I would prefer to do this rather than have a stranger do it!

    Aunty Jack 30 Mar 2012 7:46 AM

    All I can say is "Share this with your friends and family" - I discovered I had breast cancer at 40 and underwent a mastectomy. I had not been checking regularly; to be quite honest I hadn't been checking at all... It is happening to more and more women, earlier and earlier. And men can get it too! Keep checking ladies :)

    Nicola0102 30 Mar 2012 2:55 AM

    Excellent post. It's sad that some ladies don't know how to do this. Espeacially young ladies.

    chrissie86 25 Mar 2012 6:32 AM

    Very good article BH its very important for women to look after their health :)

    lilpreeny 22 Mar 2012 5:14 AM

    Such a useful post, it reminds me I need to breast check more often! x

    Blessed_Queen 17 Mar 2012 5:31 AM

    Very important article. I cannot bring myself to self examine as it makes me sick, so I have bi-annual checks with my doctor.

    Pages

    You need to log in or become a member to post a comment.
    TOP