How to Know If You Have Beast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women. While it is currently the leading cause of death in women aged 45 to 55 years in America, advancements in cancer technologies and treatments have greatly reduced the mortality rate. Early detection of breast cancer is essential. Knowing if you have breast cancer is ultimately a diagnosis for your doctor to make, but by regularly performing an at-home self-examination of your breasts, you can possibly detect early signs and symptoms of breast cancer.

Things You'll Need

• Bed
• Mirror

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Instructions

• 1

  Lie down on a comfortable surface, such as a bed, and put your right arm directly behind your head. Your hand should be cupping the back of your head.

• 2

  With the pads of the 3 middle fingers of your left hand, move your fingers in a circular motion over your right breast to feel the tissue under the skin. The American Cancer Society suggests pressing at 3 different levels of pressure so that you can feel the entire breast. In the first circular motion, press lightly and feel the top level of tissue. The second time, press more firmly to feel the middle part of the tissue. And finally, press the most firmly so that you can feel the lower part of the breast tissue. Using this circular motion, press at all 3 levels at one spot on the breast before moving on to another spot.

• 3

  Starting at the top of your breast near your collar bone, and move down vertically until you no longer feel your breast tissue, only your ribs. Then, move back up to the top. This up and down motion will ensure that you don't miss examining any part of the breast.

• 4

  Lower your right arm and raise your left arm behind your head. Repeat these steps with the left breast, using your right fingers to examine the tissue in the same manner as the opposite breast.

• 5

  Stand in front of a mirror and look at your breasts and nipples carefully. Look for the following: a change in the size or shape of the breast, a nipple that is turned toward the inside of the breast, or whether the skin, nipple, or areola is red, swollen or scaled. Any of these many be signs of breast cancer.