Breast Self-Awareness

Your breasts change as you go through different stages of your life. It's important to learn what is normal for your breasts. This is called breast self-awareness. The key to breast self-awareness is knowing how your breasts normally look and feel. This helps you to notice any changes.

Many experts now say that women should focus on breast self-awareness instead of doing a breast self-examination (BSE). These experts include the American Cancer Society, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Some experts even advise not teaching women to do BSEs. That’s because research hasn’t shown a clear benefit to doing BSEs.

Breast self-awareness isn’t about following a certain method and schedule. Breast self-awareness is knowing what's normal for your breasts. That way you can notice even small changes right away. If you see any changes, report them to your healthcare provider right away.

Changes to look for

Call your provider if you find any changes in your breasts that concern you. These changes may include:

  • A lump

  • Nipple discharge other than breast milk, especially a bloody discharge

  • Swelling

  • A change in size or shape

  • Skin irritation, such as redness, thickening, or dimpling of the skin

  • Swollen lymph nodes in the armpit

  • Nipple problems, such as pain or redness

What if I find a lump?

Contact your provider if you find lumpiness in one breast, feel something different in the tissue, or feel a definite lump. Sometimes the lumpiness may be due to menstrual changes. But there may be reason for concern.

Your provider may want to see you right away if you have:

  • Nipple discharge that is bloody

  • Skin changes on your breast, such as dimpling or puckering

It’s normal to be upset if you find a lump. But it’s important to contact your provider right away. Remember that most breast lumps are benign. This means they are not cancer.