Most breast lumps are found by women themselves during regular breast self-examinations. If you menstruate, do the examination a few days after your period ends. If you use oral contraceptives, do it on the day you begin a new pill pack. If you feel any new lumps or notice anything else unusual, bring it to your doctor's attention immediately.

1. Stand in front of a mirror with your arms at your sides. Look for irregularities, puckering, dimples, changes in size or shape, or pushed-in or misshapen nipples. Look for the same changes while resting your hands on your hips and then while holding your hands behind your head.
   
   

   Retraction of nipple

   Dimpling

   Nipple discharge that is bloody or clear and sticky

2. Standing, use your left hand to examine your right breast. (Some women do this in the shower, when their skin is lubricated by soap.) Feel your breast with the pads of your index and middle fingers, moving in increasingly smaller circles, from the outside in. Compress gently, feeling for lumps. As you circle your nipple, look for discharge.
   
   
3. Continue the gentle massaging to examine the area adjacent to your breast and below your armpit. This area also contains breast tissue. Repeat, using your right hand on your left breast.
4. Examine your breasts with your fingertips again while lying on your back. Put a pillow under your right shoulder and place your right hand under your head. Use your left hand to examine your right breast. Repeat on the left breast.
   
   
5. If your breasts are normally lumpy note how many separate lumps you feel and their locations. Next month, check for changes-especially an increase in size that persists after your next period.

WARNING SIGNS: Breast cancer

See your doctor immediately if you find:

• Any new lump
• Nipple discharge, particularly if it is bloody or dark or occurs without squeezing your nipple
• A nipple drawing inward or pointing in a new direction
• Any change in the shape or symmetry of your breast
• Any lump or thickening that does not shrink or lessen after your next period
• Any dimpling or dent