By examining your breasts regularly, you will become familiar with the background nodularity that is characteristic for your breasts, and will be able to recognize any changes. Be sure to take enough time to examine both breasts thoroughly. I suggest you chose a comfortable, private place where to perform your breast self examination without being distracted. The main problem with breast cancer during pregnancy is delay in diagnosis that results in women being diagnosed with cancer at a later, more advanced stage. Early detection is your best defense.
Breast examination helps detect cancer at an earlier and more curable stage.
Benign and malignant lumps frequently have similar appearance and have a wide variability of sizes, hardness, mobility, and locations in the breast. Detecting a lump or a localized hardness may require further evaluation. Rarely can a breast cancer be diagnosed by examination alone. If in doubt, please get a second opinion and do not fall into denial. How best to teach women breast self-examination.