How to do a breast self-exam
Written by Cara Sumner
Cara Sumner
Cara Sumner is an accomplished writer with more than ten years of experience writing on subjects including skincare, sustainability, health, and wellness. Now, she’s dedicating her days to bringing more awareness and education to female reproductive health in her role at Natural Cycles. Cara holds a Master's Degree in Social Anthropology from Stockholm University and Minored in Female Studies/English Literature while getting her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Radford University in the States. On the weekends, you'll find her forest bathing in the woods around Stockholm.
Fact checked by Dr. Carlotta Favaro PhD, Scientist at Natural Cycles
Dr. Carlotta Favaro PhD
Dr. Carlotta Favaro is a particle physicist by education, with a PhD from the University of Zurich earned at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). She currently works as a Data Scientist for Natural Cycles in the field of women’s reproductive health. She has several years of experience in fundamental scientific research, and currently lives in Switzerland.
Key Takeaways:
- A breast self-exam is a two-step screening technique you can do at home to check for breast lumps
- It can help you become familiar with your breasts and recognize abnormalities to help you promptly report changes to your healthcare professional
- Most lumps aren’t cancerous, but any abnormalities should be shared with your physician or OBGYN
Regular breast self-exams are something we should feel comfortable and confident doing and are part of a healthy routine. Check out our guide to learn this two-step method that can help you do a thorough breast self-exam at home. These breast self-examination steps, in combination with other screening methods, can increase the odds of early detection but should not replace a professional diagnosis. So, if you're concerned about changes in your breasts, we recommend you consult your doctor or gynecologist as soon as you spot anything out of the ordinary.
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