In the second part of the exam, you will feel your breasts for any lumps or irregularities. This can be done while standing in the shower, sitting in a chair, or lying in bed with a pillow under one shoulder. One arm is raised over your head and the other hand is used to feel for changes. Either way, you will want the strips or spirals to overlap a bit. Use the soft pads of your fingers to move in dime-size circles to feel for changes below the skin.
Deeper pressure is used to check for deeper changes.
Gently squeeze the nipples to look for any discharge. Breast cancer generally feels like a firm, irregular lump that is not tender. Premenopausal women should report any lump that persists for more than one menstrual cycle to their doctor. Postmenopausal women should report any new lump. A thorough breast exam is part of your annual physical exam.