Breast Self-Examination
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How to Examine Your Breasts

Step 2: Lying down on your side
Lie flat on your back so that a bulge of breast tissue falls to the side. Spread the tissue evenly over your rib cage by turning on your side with your knees bent, then lean your shoulder back towards the outside and put the back of your hand on your forehead.

Your breast tissue should be evenly distributed over your ribs, with no bulge on the outside. You can tell that you are in the right position when your nipple seems to "float" at the top of the mound of breast tissue. Placing a pillow upon your lower back may make you more comfortable.

Using the circular finger motion, begin at the top of your armpit and move down and up the breast area in parallel strips (see illustartion). Be sure not to miss any space between circles or between strips. When you reach the end of each strip, move over and about one finger width and start the next strip. A slight overlap will make certain that no tissue is missed between strips. Be sure that your strips cover the boundaries of your entire breast tissue area.