1. How to examine Breasts
Always ask for permission, and if you are male, make sure to have a female chaperone present.
• First examine the patient sitting up undressed to the waist, then lying down.
• Examine both breasts, starting with the normal breast, and lymph glands under the armpits.
• Check the nipples for position, pulling in or eczema
• Check the breast for symmetry (if not, ask if it is new)
• Check the skin over the breast for areas of thickening, orange peel-like appearance, sinus or
ulcer.
2. How to examine Breasts
Palpate:
With the flat of four fingers gently from bellow the collar bone to the upper part of
the tummy. Check each of the 4 quadrants, then under the nipple area.
• If you feel any lumps gently palpate them – don’t squeeze between fingers, note
their size and site, consistency, surface smoothness and tenderness.
• To check if a lump is tethered to the skin – try to gently move the skin over the lump
and see if its moves freely or not.
• To check if it is tethered to the chest muscle - ask the patient to place her open hand
on her waist, and then ask her to press downwards to tense this muscle, while you
try to move the lump.
3. How to examine Breasts
For lymph glands:
Check for nodes under the armpits (axillary) on the right side with your left
hand and on the left side with your right hand.
Examine above and below the collar bones on both sides for nodes
If you are not sure if there is a lump or not, examine again 2 or 6 weeks later,
ideally 5-6 days after her period has finished
Write down your findings clearly on each occasion
4. Self Examination of Breasts Start by looking at your breasts in the mirror
with your arms on your hips.
Check that Breasts are:
• their usual size, shape, and colour.
• evenly shaped without visible distortion or
swelling.
• Watch for any changes like dimpling,
puckering or bulging of the skin.
• New pulling in of the nipple
• redness, soreness, rash, or swelling.
5. Self Examination of Breasts
• Now, raise your arms and look
for the same changes as before.
6. Self Examination of Breasts • Feel your breasts using a firm,
smooth touch with the flat of your
fingers, keeping them together.
• Use your right hand to feel your
left breast and then your left hand
to feel your right breast
• Cover the entire breast from your
collarbone to the top of your
tummy.
• Examine under your armpits with
opposite hands.
7. Self Examination of Breasts
• Make breast self-examination part of your routine
• Examine once a month to familiarize yourself with how your breasts normally look
and feel. Examine your breast 5-6 days after your period ends.
• If you are no longer having periods, choose an easy day to remember, such as the first
or last day of the month.
• Get to know your breasts' different “neighborhoods.” The upper, outer area, near
your armpit — usually feels firmer and lumpier. The lower half of your breast can feel
like a sandy or pebbly beach. The area under the nipple can feel like a collection of
large grains.
