A breast self-examination (BSE) involves checking your breasts to help detect breast problems or changes. Many breast problems are first discovered by women themselves, often by accident. Breast lumps can be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). Breast cancer can occur at any age, though it is most common in women older than 50.

Medical experts disagree about the need for regular breast self-examinations. A large study showed that regular breast self-examinations led to more doctor visits but did not find breast cancer earlier than regular medical examinations. ¹ The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has a guideline about screening for breast cancer. It states that there is not enough evidence to support doing or not doing routine breast self-examinations (BSE). ² The American Cancer Society considers breast self-examination an option for women. Talk with your health professional about breast self-examination.

A breast self-examination involves checking your breasts for lumps or changes while standing and lying in different positions and while looking at your breasts in a mirror to note any changes in their appearance. Once you know what your breasts normally look and feel like, any new lump or change in appearance should be evaluated by a health professional. Most breast problems or changes are not because of cancer.

If you choose to do breast self-examinations, this should not replace regular clinical breast examinations (CBE) by a health professional and mammograms if you are older than age 40. Breast implants do not decrease a woman's risk for breast cancer, so women with breast implants need to talk with their health professionals about performing breast self-examinations.

Why It Is Done

A breast self-examination is done to detect breast problems, such as a lump or change in appearance, that may indicate breast cancer or other breast conditions that may require medical attention (such as mastitis or a fibroadenoma).

How To Prepare

No special preparation is needed before having this test.

How It Is Done

It takes practice to perform a thorough breast self-examination. Ask your health professional for tips that can help you perform a breast self-examination correctly.

The best time to examine your breasts is usually one week after your menstrual period begins, when your breast tissue is least likely to be swollen or tender. If your menstrual cycle is irregular, or if you have stopped menstruating due to menopause or the removal of your uterus (hysterectomy), do your examination on a day of the month that's easy to remember. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding can continue to examine their breasts every month. Breast-feeding mothers can examine their breasts after a feeding or after using a breast pump so that the breasts have as little milk as possible, making the examination easier and more comfortable.