A monthly self-breast exam is one of the simplest habits a woman can build for her health. The best time to perform it is 5–7 days after your period, when breast tissue is least tender. Stand in front of a mirror with your arms at different positions ; down, raised, and on your hips and look for visible changes. Then, use gentle circular motions to feel for lumps or thickened areas across the entire breast and underarm.

The goal of a self-exam is not to detect cancer; it’s to understand what is normal for your body. When you know your usual texture, size, and sensitivity, you’ll quickly spot anything new. If you find something unusual, don’t panic; most findings turn out to be benign. However, reporting them promptly helps ensure proper evaluation.