Checking your breasts: how to do a self-check in good time
When did you last check your breasts? If you have to think about it, you're definitely not alone. Good news: checking your breasts only takes a few minutes, and you can simply do it in the shower.
Why is checking your own breasts so important?
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month 🎀: a month dedicated to prevention, research and support. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Belgium: 1 in 8 women will be affected by it at some point. Every year, around 11,500 people are diagnosed, according to figures from the Belgian Cancer Registry.
The earlier a change is noticed, the greater the chance of successful and less intensive treatment. And nobody knows your body better than you do.
By looking and feeling regularly, you learn how your breasts normally look and feel. That's exactly why you'll spot sooner when something changes. You can find more information at Think Pink.
What is a breast self-exam?
Did you know?
A breast self-exam is a quick check where you look at your breasts in the mirror and feel them with your fingertips. You're not looking for a diagnosis, but for changes compared to what is normal for you.
A breast self-exam does not replace medical screening. In Flanders, women between 50 and 69 receive an invitation every two years for a free screening mammogram. Self-examination is a supplement to that, at any age.
How do you check your breasts? In 4 steps
You don't have to be an expert. Take a few minutes for it, preferably at a calm moment.
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1. Look in the mirrorStand upright in front of the mirror with your arms by your sides. Look closely at your breasts: watch for changes in size, shape, skin or nipples. Then put your hands behind your head and look again. This also lets you see dimples or retractions that would otherwise stay hidden. |
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2. Divide your breast into sectionsPicture your breast as a circle divided into 12 wedges, like a clock. That way you won't skip a single spot. Place your hand about 5 cm below your collarbone and put your other hand behind your neck. |
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3. Feel with your fingertipsUse 3 or 4 fingertips and make small, circular movements. Press lightly at first, then a little deeper. Work from the outside of your breast towards the nipple, wedge by wedge. Don't forget your armpit and the area up to your collarbone. |
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4. Check your nippleGently pull your nipple slightly away from your body and see whether it moves smoothly. Watch for any fluid that comes out on its own, especially if it's clear or bloody. Then repeat all the steps on your other breast. |
Tip: try not to check your breasts on a Friday evening. If you feel something, you don't want to wait all weekend until your GP is open again.
When is the best time to check your breasts?
Once a month is enough. Do you still have periods? Then it's best to pick a moment about a week after your period starts. Around your period, your breasts can feel swollen, tender or extra lumpy, which makes them harder to assess.
No longer have periods? Then choose a fixed day of the month, for example the first. That way it becomes a habit.
Which changes should you get checked? Lump, nipple or skin
Most changes are harmless. Still, it's smart to know the signs. Notice one of these changes, and is it new for you? Then make an appointment with your GP.
A lump in your breast or armpit
Healthy breast tissue naturally feels a little lumpy, because of the glandular and connective tissue. A lump worth getting checked feels different from the rest: harder, firmer or clearly defined. Often such a lump doesn't hurt. If you feel a lump in your armpit, for example a swollen lymph node that doesn't go away, have that checked too.
An inverted nipple or nipple discharge
A nipple that suddenly turns inwards, when it didn't used to, is a sign to get looked at. The same goes for fluid that comes out of your nipple on its own, or for crusts, flakes or something that looks like eczema around your nipple.
Orange-peel skin, dimples or redness
Watch for skin that looks like the peel of an orange, with small pits. A dent or dimple, a red or warm spot or a sore that doesn't heal should also be checked.
A change in shape or size
Almost nobody has two identical breasts, so a difference between left and right is normal. What counts is a new change: a breast that suddenly becomes bigger, smaller or a different shape than you're used to.
Good to know: breast pain on its own is rarely a sign of breast cancer. Sore or tender breasts are often related to your cycle.
Breast self-exam or population screening: what's the difference?
Both are important, and they complement each other.
| Breast self-exam | Breast cancer screening programme | |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | You look at and feel your own breasts | A free screening mammogram (X-ray) |
| Who is it for? | Everyone, at any age, including men | Women aged 50 to 69 in Flanders |
| How often? | Once a month | Every two years, you receive an invitation |
| What does it detect? | Changes you can see or feel | Abnormalities before you notice anything yourself |
| Rule of thumb | Get to know your body | Always accept your invitation |
Do you have an increased risk of breast cancer, for example due to family history? Then discuss with your GP or gynaecologist which follow-up is best for you. You can find more information about the breast cancer screening programme on the official website.
A reminder in the shower: the Boobie Bar
The biggest challenge isn't the checking itself. It's remembering to do it. That's why WONDR teamed up with Think Pink to develop the BOOBIE BARS | WONDR x Think Pink: two shower bars shaped like a breast, which sit in your shower every day.
Is your Boobie Bar used up? Then it's time to check. That way your monthly breast check becomes a habit all by itself. Handy, right?
The Boobie Bars smell wonderful, lather richly and come in different shapes and skin tones, because no two boobies are the same. Choose your box: Pink or Bordeaux!
The ingredients are approved by Think Pink, so that women fighting breast cancer can use the bar too. And like all our bars, the Boobie Bar is 100% plastic-free and vegan.
For every box, €5 goes to Think Pink, the national breast cancer organisation. They provide information about breast cancer, fund scientific research and support people with breast cancer and their loved ones.
Who would love a Boobie Bar as a gift?
A reminder is best shared with the people you love.
- Your best friend. A playful wink in her bathroom with a message that matters.
- Your mum or sister. That way you turn the self-check into something you talk about together.
- Your daughter. The earlier she gets to know her body, the more natural the habit becomes.
Together, we're taking a step against breast cancer, one shower at a time.
This article is intended as general information and does not replace medical advice. Unsure, or noticing a change? Please contact your GP.
