Breast awareness simply means becoming familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel and

knowing what changes to look and feel for in your breasts.

               Remember to do your breast examination on a regular basis but not during or around the time of 

               your period. If you do notice any unusual changes or notice a lump or lumps in your breasts mention

               them to your GP immediately.

               Breast Self Examination:

The Clock Method:

While either standing or sitting, raise one arm and use the pads of the fingers of the opposite hand

to examine the breast as if it is a clock.

Starting at 12o’clock go through each hour gently palpating the breast from the outside toward the

nipple until the entire breast has been felt.

Repeat on the opposite breast. Then, lie down on your back with your arm up, causing the pectoral

muscles to be thrown forward, and repeat the exam of each breast.

The Wedge Method:

The wedge method entails envisioning each breast as a pie divided into equal wedges. Lie down on

a bed and place your left hand behind your head. Use your right hand to examine your left breast

beginning at the top of your breast and working your way down to your nipple.

Use your middle three fingers to massage firmly but gently from the top of the wedge to the bottom.

Once you have completed the wedge, move your fingers to the next wedge going in a clockwise

direction. Repeat on the opposite breast. Do not forget about checking lymph nodes under your

armpit and tissue around your breasts.

The Sweeping Method:

If you are not comfortable methods above, then you can use a simple sweeping technique with your

three middle fingers. You begin at your collarbone and work in a clockwise direction from the outside

of your breast towards the nipple.

If you have larger breasts you can use a walking motion with your fingers to feel for any lumps or changes.

Do not forget to check your lymph nodes and nipples.

email lynn@pinkwishes.co.uk