Women’s Month may be over, but looking after your breast health shouldn’t be limited to one month of the year. 🌸

Last month, we were privileged to collaborate with CANSA to offer free breast examinations in our practice. It was a wonderful opportunity to encourage women to become more familiar with their breasts and to make breast health part of their routine healthcare.

One of the simplest ways to do this is through regular breast self-examination.

Why is breast self-examination important?

Many breast cancers are first noticed by women themselves (or their partners). Regularly looking at and feeling your breasts helps you become familiar with what is normal for you, making it easier to recognise a change if one occurs.

Breast self-examination does not replace regular clinical breast examinations or mammograms. Rather, it is another way of taking an active role in your breast health.

The key message is simple:

Know your normal. Check regularly. Don’t ignore changes.

When should you examine your breasts?

If you still have menstrual periods, aim to examine your breasts once a month. The best time to examine is approximately 5–7 days after your period starts, when your breasts are less likely to be swollen or tender.

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have gone through menopause, choose the same day every month—for example, the 1st of the month—to make it easier to remember. 

How to perform a breast self-examination

1. LOOK 👀

Stand in front of a mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms relaxed.

Look for any changes such as:

• A change in breast size or shape

• Swelling

• Skin dimpling or puckering, including an “orange peel” appearance

• Redness or a rash

• A nipple that has become pulled inward

• Unusual nipple discharge

Then raise both arms above your head (like you're lying on the beach) and look again.

2. FEEL — while standing

Many women find it easiest to do this in the shower.

Using the pads of your three middle fingers, examine each breast using small, circular movements. Choose a pattern and use the same pattern each time—for example, gradually moving outward in circles.

Make sure you examine the whole breast, from the collarbone down to the bra line, and from the breastbone across to the armpit.

Don’t forget the armpit, where breast tissue extends.

3. FEEL — while lying down

Lie on your back with a pillow underneath the shoulder of the side you are examining, and place that arm behind your head.

Using the opposite hand, repeat the same circular movements and pressure pattern across the entire breast.

Repeat on the other side.

The change in posture will help make it easier to feel all the areas of the breast and do a complete examination without missing anything.

What changes should you look out for?

Contact your doctor if you notice:

• A new lump or thickened area

• A lump that feels different from the surrounding tissue

• A change in breast size or shape

• Skin dimpling or puckering

• Redness, warmth or persistent swelling

• Persistent, localised breast pain

• A nipple that suddenly turns inward

• Bloody or spontaneous nipple discharge

• A lump or swelling in the armpit

Most breast changes are not cancer, but any new or unusual change should be assessed by a healthcare professional.

And remember: screening still matters

Knowing your breasts and noticing changes is important, but self-examination is not a substitute for appropriate screening.

We recommend that women over the age of 40 attend a screening mammogram every two years, even if they have no symptoms. Women at higher risk (for example, women with the BRCA gene in their family) may start annual mammograms much earlier, typically around age 30 or younger. And in the state sector, women over 40 years of age qualify for a mammogram every ten years - not just when there is something wrong on the exam! If you do not have medical aid and are over the age of 40 years, advocate for yourself at the clinic to get your screening mammograms.

Breast health is not just a Women’s Month conversation. It is something worth paying attention to throughout the year.

Know your normal. Check monthly. Don’t ignore changes.

Early detection saves lives. 💗

If you are concerned about a change in your breasts, or would like to discuss your individual breast screening needs, 

please speak to your healthcare provider.