BackOctober 29, 2025
Let’s Talk About Self Breast Exams: Knowing Your Normal
Every day, Registered Nurse Francesca Wright meets patients at the Cancer Clinic and Medical Day Care who remind her why awareness and early detection matter.
Learning how to perform a self-breast exam is one of the simplest ways to take charge of your health. Everyone’s body is different, and when you know what’s normal for you, you’re more likely to notice when something changes. “Breast cancer is something we can often catch early,” she says. “That’s why it’s so important to know your own normal.”
Francesca encourages everyone to take a few minutes each month to perform a self-exam as early detection can make all the difference.
Step 1: Visual Check
Stand in front of a mirror with your hands on your hips, then raise your arms overhead. “You’re looking for anything that seems different,” Francesca explains. “That could be dimpling, puckering, nipple discharge, or changes in shape or symmetry.”
Step 2: Manual Check
Use the pads of your three middle fingers to feel the breast tissue in small circular motions.
Start near your armpit and move across the breast. Use light, medium, and firm pressure to feel all layers, moving from the collarbone down to the bottom of the breast.
Don’t forget about the underarm area. Lymph nodes under your arm are an important part of the exam.
Step 3: Pick the Right Time
Do your exam one week after your period ends, when breasts are less tender. It is important to pick the same time each month, as consistency is key
When to Call Your Doctor
If you find any new lumps, bumps, or changes in the breast, armpit, or chest, reach out to your doctor. “You may need imaging or further testing,” Francesca says. “Don’t wait. Getting it checked gives peace of mind.”
Understanding Breast Cancer Stages
Francesca often helps patients understand how breast cancer progresses:
Stage 1: Small tumour (<2 cm), possibly involving lymph nodes.
Stage 2: tumour 2–5 cm, may affect nearby lymph nodes.
Stage 3: Larger tumour with greater lymph node involvement.
Stage 4: Cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
“Early detection gives us the best chance for treatment and recovery,” Francesca emphasizes. “That’s why breast awareness is so powerful.”
Francesca’s Quick Tips
Use the pads of your three middle fingers.
Do your exam one week after your period ends (or pick a consistent day).
Include the area from underarms to sternum.
Try multiple positions standing up and lying down can help flatten breast tissue.
Most importantly, get familiar with your normal.