Breast & Cervical Program 

Seeks to provide women with pap test and self-breast exams to promote early detection of problems.

All women 20 and older should do breast self-exams . . .

• Once a month, 1 week after the day your period starts

• Once a month, on the same day each month, if you are pregnant

• Once a month, on the same day each month, after emptying your breasts when nursing your baby

• Once a month, on the same day each month, when you have stopped having periods

Look, stand in front of a mirror and look at yourself

Look for changes in the size or shape of the breast and skin changes.

To feel . . . move in tiny circles, the size of a dime, using the pads of your first 3 fingers. 

Pressure . . . press gently first, then a little deeper, then as deep as you can.

Directions . . . check your breast area up and down in a lawn mowing fashion.

Feel . . . examine your breasts in the area dotted lines.

Most breast cancers occur in the shaded area.

Position . . . on your side with a pillow under your shoulder.

Get It Right!  Show your doctor or nurse how you are doing your breast self-exam.  Ask them to tell you if you need to do anything differently.