Your Guide to Breast Self-Exams and Early Detection

Although most breast cancers don’t begin with a lump, 40% of diagnosed breast cancers were detected after a woman discovered one, according to Johns Hopkins. That’s significant, given that about 310,000 women were diagnosed with invasive breast cancers in the US in 2024.

Examining your breasts each month helps you better understand your anatomy for early detection of minor changes — and major. While most of these are benign, you may identify an area of concern to review with your doctor.

Experienced OB/GYN Dr. Dean Hildahl and his compassionate team offer annual well-woman physicals, which include breast exams, pelvic exams, and more, at North Naples Gynecology and Obstetrics in Naples, Florida.

Dr. Hildahl recommends at-home breast exams in addition to regular mammograms and yearly exams.

How to examine your breasts at home

In just a few minutes each month, you can check for breast changes:

Visual inspection

While naked in front of a mirror, look for any changes in each breast, including:

• Shape
• Swelling
• Nipple position or discharge
• Rash or redness
• Skin dimpling

Start with your arms by your side. Then, raise your arms, and further note any issues. 

Physical changes

Perform a physical self-exam while standing or lying down. When standing:

1. Use your opposite hand to examine each breast.
2. Move the pads of your three middle fingers in a circular pattern.
3. Apply gentle then firmer pressure.
4. Check for thick spots, lumps, or other changes.
5. Squeeze each nipple gently for discharge.
6. Note any rough patches on your nipples that don’t go away.

It may be easier to do a self-exam while lying down, especially if you have larger breasts.

Contact Dr. Hildahl if you notice any significant issues. Early detection helps save lives.

Remember the Seven P’s

Use a mnemonic, known as the Seven P’s, to help guide your exam:

• Position: Inspect your breasts visually and physically.
• Perimeter: Check your breast all the way to your armpit.
• Palpation: Rotate your fingers on each breast.
• Pressure: Vary your pressure, from light to firm.
• Pattern: Repeat a circular pattern to cover the whole breast.
• Practice: Self-examine your breasts each month.
• Planning: Look for changes, such as new lumps, discharge, or puckering.

Should you notice any warning signs, contact Dr. Hildahl for further examination.

When to perform a breast self-exam 

If you’re still menstruating, do a breast self-exam a couple of days after your period, when your breasts are less tender as hormone levels drop. Post-menopausal women should check their breasts around the same day each month. 

Should you discover a lump, it’s usually benign; 8 in 10 lumps aren’t cancerous. Still, notify Dr. Hildahl, regardless of the size of the lump. Even tiny ones may represent aggressive cancers.

We can help

Breast self-exams were introduced in 1930 in the United States, and they remain an essential component of the cancer screening process. The American Cancer Society continues to stress the importance of breast self-awareness in addition to mammograms and annual exams.

Dr. Hildahl offers well-woman care physicals that incorporate breast exams and much more. If you’d like to schedule an exam, contact North Naples Gynecology and Obstetrics by phone or online today.