How Breast and Chest Self-Exams Can Empower Young People
These Chest and Breast Self-Exam cards are located on the Talk More website here.
Today’s Blog Post was written by our Talk More Intern, Kaisa Sazama-Framil
Let’s talk about something incredibly important for young people—and it’s not just for adults: self breast and chest exams. Yep, you read that right! Although breast cancer is more common in older adults, building the habit of regularly checking your chest and breast tissue is one of the best ways to know your body, and we’re here to tell you why it’s so empowering for teens and young adults.
So, what exactly is a self breast or chest exam? And why should young people (and their parents) care about this? Let’s break it down!
What’s a Self Breast or Chest Exam?
A self breast or chest exam is exactly what it sounds like: checking yourself for any unusual changes in your chest tissue. This means looking in the mirror and feeling around your chest, including the breast area and under your arms, and noticing if there’s anything out of the ordinary like lumps, changes in shape, or even discharge from the nipples. Starting this practice as a teen or young adult is helpful because it allows you to understand what’s normal for your body. A baseline for your body, basically.
Guess what? Breasts and chest tissue change over time because of things like puberty, weight changes, or even hormone shifts. Being familiar with these changes helps you notice when something doesn’t feel right, and it’s easier to figure out if you should talk to a doctor.
Okay, you might be thinking, “Isn’t this something only older people need to worry about?” Well, the answer is yes and no. While breast cancer tends to develop later in life, learning how to do these self-exams now means you’re already a pro by the time you’re older. You’ll also be more aware of your body, and early detection of anything unusual is a good thing!
So, why are we talking about this on a site for family communication?
Talking with your child about breast or chest exams normalizes taking care of our sexual and reproductive health and taking ownership and agency in knowing when they want to check in with a doctor about a health concern. Encourage them to get familiar with their bodies now, so they’re confident in knowing when something feels off.
In addition to talking about breast and chest exams, you can talk with your kids about:
A time you took care of your sexual and reproductive health and it had a positive outcome
A time you didn’t take care of your sexual and reproductive health and you wished it had gone differently
Your own self-exams or how you monitor your body for changes
As you talk, remember your boundaries. You don’t have to share the deeply personal or private details with your kiddo - the main ideas are often enough.
How to Do a Breast or Chest Self-Exam
Talk More has developed two simple guides to get you started! (You can find the fancy ones on our website here).
Step 1: Use a Mirror
Stand in front of a mirror with your arms at your sides, then place your hands on your hips and press firmly. This tightens your chest muscles, allowing you to see if there are any changes in shape, swelling, or dimpling. Next, raise your arms above your head and check for any changes again.
Step 2: Feel for Changes
Using the pads of your fingers, make a circular motion across your chest or breast area. You want to feel from your collarbone down to your ribs and under your arms. Use light, medium, and firm pressure to feel different layers of tissue.
Step 3: Examine Your Nipples
Gently squeeze your nipples to check for any discharge or if they’re turning inward. A change here can sometimes signal an issue, so it’s good to be aware!
Step 4: In the Shower or Lying Down:
Some people find it easier to do these exams in the shower or lying down. This spreads out the chest tissue, making it easier to notice any lumps or irregularities.
When Should You Be Concerned?
It’s important not to panic! Lumps or changes can be normal, especially during times of growth or hormonal changes. However, here are some things you should talk to a doctor about if you notice them during your self-exam:
A lump or thickening in or near the breast or underarm area.
A change in size or shape.
Skin that looks dimpled or puckered, like an orange peel.
A nipple that turns inward or discharge that’s bloody or unusual.
Red, swollen, or scaly skin on the breast or nipple.
Why Regular Self-Exams Matter
Self-exams are part of taking care of yourself, and when young people start early, it becomes a healthy habit for life. By knowing what’s normal for your body, you’ll be able to act quickly if something doesn’t feel right. And remember, early detection can make a big difference! For more tips on how to do a self breast or chest exam, check out our guides here.
Taking care of yourself is empowering, so let’s get into the habit of self-exams, starting today!
References and Resources for the breast and chest cards can be found at: