Breast self examination

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Self breast examination

1. Stand in front of a mirror with your hands by your sides. Examine your breasts closely, checking for lumps, changes in colour or shape, rashes and scaling, dimpling or puckering, inverted nipples or nipple discharge.

2. Raise both arms and place your hands on your hips, pressing your shoulders and elbows forward to flex your chest muscles. Look for any changes as noted above.

3. Lie down and raise one arm flat above your head. Using a flat palm and the balls of your three middle fingers on your other hand, feel around the breast and armpit on the side of the raised arm in a circular motion, feeling for any lumps or abnormalities. Repeat the process with the other breast.

4. If you do feel a lump, don't panic. Nine out of ten breast abnormalities turn out to be harmless. Visit your local GP for further advice.

Internationally, mammograms are generally recommended every year from age 40 to 49, then every two years from age 50 onwards.

For more information visit:
Australian National Breast Cancer Foundation: www.nbcf.org.au
Australian National Breast Cancer Centre: www.nbcc.org.au
Breast Cancer Network Australia: www.bcna.org.au
New Zealand Breast Cancer Research Trust: www.bcrt.co.nz
www.breastcancer.org
www.breasthealth.com.au