All women, from their teenage years on, should examine their breasts every month. Learn what your breasts feel like normally so that if you detect any changes, call your private physician or The Betty Torricelli Institute for Breast Care at (201) 996-2222. Changes to note include a lump, thickening, swelling, pain, nipple discharge, or retraction (pulling in) of the nipple or skin.


In the Shower
Raise one arm. With fingers flat touch every part of each breast, gently feeling for a lump or thickening. Use your right hand to examine your left breast, your left hand for your right breast.

Before a Mirror
With arms at your sides then raised above your head, look carefully for changes in the size, shape, and contour of each breast. Look for puckering, dimpling, or changes in skin texture. Gently squeeze both nipples and look for discharge.

Lying Down
While lying down, place a towel under your right shoulder and place your right hand behind your head. Examine your right breast with your left hand: Fingers flat, press gently in small circles, starting at the outermost top edge of your breast and spiraling in toward the nipple. Examine every part of the breast. Repeat with left breast. With your arm resting on a firm surface, use the same circular motion to examine the underarm area. This is breast tissue, too.