Breast cancer can be a deadly disease if not caught early and treated appropriately (medicine, surgery, radiation, or some combination of these).  Currently, there are three ways that, when combined, can significantly improve your chance of catching breast cancer while it is easily treatable.  These three ways are 1. Breast Self-Exam, 2. Annual breast exam by your physician, and 3. Annual mammograms usually beginning at age 40. 

1.  Breast Self-Exam
Examining your own breasts each month is important.  Finding a new lump and bringing it to the attention of your physician can help you catch breast cancer before it can spread. Because most breasts are lumpy and bumpy, the real benefits of breast self-exam only occur once you have "learned" which lumps and bumps are normally in your breast.  Usually you can determine which bumps are always in the same spot and not growing after you have done breast self-exams for about 6 months in a row.  (Please feel free to print this page and use it as a reminder.) 

When to do it. 
The best time to do a breast self-exam is about a week after your period ends since at other times during your cycle your breasts may be more tender and lumpy (from the effects of hormones in your blood).  If your periods are irregular, do a breast self-exam on the same day of each month.  It is important to get in the habit of doing it each and every month. 

Where to do it. 
It doesn't matter where you do the breast self-exam, as long as you do it.  Many women find it convenient and easy to do it while taking a shower:  soapy hands glide better over wet skin and make it easier to feel the lumps and bumps. 

How to do it.

• Place your right arm above your head as shown in the drawing.  Use the tips of your three middle fingers on your left hand to feel for lumps in your right breast.

• Press firmly enough to know how your breast feels.  A firm ridge in the lower curve of each breast is normal.

• Always examine your breasts the same way.  As pictured, going around your breast in a circular pattern from the outside to the inside (nipple) is one technique.  Another way is to feel from your nipple outwards, like spokes on a wheel.  Ask your doctor to show you how to do it if you have questions.  Be sure to feel on the side of your breast, as well as the upper part of the breast.  Many people forget this tissue, and nearly 60% of breast cancers form here.

• Work to remember how your breast feels from month to month.  The goal is to become familiar with what lumps and bumps are there from month to month so you can tell if a new one is forming or if one seems to be getting bigger.

• Repeat the process on your left breast, using the fingers of your right hand.

• If you find any lump, thickening, or changes in your breast tissue, tell your doctor.

2. Annual Exam (by your physician)
Beginning around age 20, your doctor will begin to do a yearly breast exam.  This is done to feel for suspicious lumps or bumps.  Doctors also look for other hints of cancer, including breast symmetry (though as noted previously, some degree of asymmetry is normal).  After feeling each breast in a circular motion, the doctor may have you sit up to look for asymmetry.  The doctor may ask you to raise your hands above your head, then put your hands on your hips.  Other maneuvers can also help the doctor find a potential problem.

3. Mammography (pictured)
You should have an X-ray of your breasts (mammogram) each year beginning at age 40 (earlier if you have certain other risk factors such as a family history of breast cancer).  Many studies have shown that annual mammograms can detect tiny cancers that are too small to be seen or felt, and long before they have a chance to spread.  Despite the recommendations of most doctors and health-care organizations, 1 out of 2 women don't get this X-ray!  Fear of breast discomfort and fear that something might be found are two major reasons why so many women have not had this test.  Though the test is somewhat uncomfortable, the potential benefits (catching a deadly cancer before it can kill you) far outweigh the minor discomfort.