Foobie, the Foobs On the Loose mascot

FoobsOn The Loose

Meet Foobie — she's making a difference.

A monthly nudge to check yourself out — because early detection starts with knowing what's normal for you.

Feel It on the First

Know your normal.

Hands on — learn the steps

Step by step

How to do a breast self-exam

Same time each month, ideally a few days after your period ends — when tissue is least tender. If you don't menstruate, pick a date you'll remember. Like the 1st.

  1. Standing in front of a mirror with arms relaxed at the sides, looking for visible changes
    Step 1

    Look in the mirror

    With your arms relaxed at your sides, look for changes in size, shape, swelling, skin texture, or nipple changes.

  2. Standing in front of a mirror with both arms lifted overhead, looking for dimpling or puckering
    Step 2

    Raise your arms

    Lift both arms overhead and look again for dimpling, puckering, pulling, swelling, or changes around the nipples.

  3. Standing in the shower, using the pads of three fingers to check the breast in small circles
    Step 3

    Check while standing

    Using the pads of your 3 middle fingers, move in small circles with light, medium, and firm pressure. Cover the whole area — from your collarbone down to the bottom of your ribs, and out into the underarm.

  4. Lying down with one arm behind the head, using the opposite hand to check the breast and underarm
    Step 4

    Check lying down

    Lie down with one arm behind your head. Use the opposite hand to cover the same area — collarbone to ribs, and into the underarm — then repeat on the other side.

  5. Diagram showing signs to notice: a new lump or thickening, dimpling, nipple discharge, swelling, redness, pain, and a nipple turning inward
    Step 5

    Know what to notice

    Look for a new lump, thickening, swelling, dimpling, redness, nipple discharge, pain, or a nipple turning inward. Anything new that persists is worth a call to your doctor.

This is general education, not medical advice. If something concerns you, contact a healthcare provider — don't wait for the 1st to come around again. Self-checks supplement screening; they don't replace mammograms or a clinical exam.