In addition to routine screenings recommended by healthcare providers, regularly monitoring your own body can play a vital role in maintaining health and supporting early detection. Self-examinations are simple practices that allow you to become more familiar with your body, making it easier to recognize unusual changes that may require medical attention.
While not all organizations endorse breast self-exams for example, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists does not many experts emphasize the importance of checking for signs of skin cancer and testicular cancer. These proactive steps take only a few minutes but can provide peace of mind and, in some cases, save lives. Below, we’ll explore how to perform breast, testicular, and skin self-checks effectively.
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How to Perform a Routine Breast Self-Check
In addition to medical breast cancer screenings recommended based on your age and risk factors, performing regular self-checks can help you stay aware of any changes in your breast tissue. A self-check involves both looking for visible changes and feeling for unusual lumps or textures.
You’ll need a mirror and a comfortable space to perform the check.
Step 1: Visual check with hands on hips
Stand straight in front of a mirror with your shoulders back and hands on your hips. Look for changes in size, shape, or skin appearance.
Step 2: Visual check with arms raised
Raise your arms above your head and carefully examine your breasts again, noting any changes.
Step 3: Feel for lumps while lying down
Lie down and use the pads of your first three fingers. Keep your fingers flat and move them in small, circular motions about an inch in diameter. Follow a consistent pattern—up and down or clockwise—to cover the entire breast, from your armpit to your cleavage and from your collarbone to the upper abdomen.
Step 4: Repeat on the other breast
Use the opposite hand for each breast for better control and accuracy.
Step 5: Feel while standing or sitting
Repeat the same motions while upright, as some women notice changes more easily this way.
Vary your pressure levels:
- Use light pressure for surface tissue.
- Apply medium pressure for tissue in the middle.
- Use firm pressure to check deeper breast tissue near the chest wall.
Regular self-checks help you become familiar with your breasts, making it easier to detect unusual changes that should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
What to Look for During a Breast Self-Check
A breast self-check involves both visual observation and feeling for changes. Knowing what to look for can help you identify signs that may need medical attention.
During a visual exam, watch for:
- Noticeable changes in breast size, shape, or color
- Swelling, soreness, or distortion in one or both breasts
- Skin changes such as dimpling (similar to an orange peel), puckering, or bulging
- A nipple that appears inverted or has shifted position
- Redness, discoloration, or rash on the skin or nipple
When feeling for lumps, consult a doctor if you notice a mass that:
- Feels hard or firm to the touch
- Is painless
- Has irregular or uneven edges
- Does not move when pressed (immobile)
- Appears in the upper outer area of the breast
- Increases in size over time
If you detect any of these changes, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider or gynecologist promptly. While breast lumps can sometimes be benign (noncancerous), professional evaluation is essential for peace of mind and timely care.
How Often Should You Check Your Breasts?
Guidelines on breast self-exams have evolved over time. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) does not specifically recommend structured monthly self-exams. Instead, they encourage breast self-awareness—becoming familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel, and promptly discussing any changes with a healthcare professional.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) also notes that self-checks or even clinical breast exams may not significantly improve cancer detection for people who undergo regular mammograms. However, mammograms are typically not recommended—or covered by insurance—until age 40 for those without additional risk factors.
It’s worth noting that most breast lumps are first discovered by individuals themselves, often during routine activities such as bathing or dressing. Research published in 2022 found that 25% to 67% of breast cancers were initially detected by patients rather than healthcare providers, underscoring the importance of body awareness.
How to Perform a Regular Testicular Self-Check
Along with routine screenings by a healthcare professional, performing regular self-checks can help you notice changes in your testicles early. The best time to perform the exam is after a warm bath or shower, when the scrotal skin is relaxed, making it easier to feel the testes.
Step 1: Visual check
Stand in front of a mirror and look for any swelling, asymmetry, or discoloration in the scrotum.
Step 2: Feel for lumps
Gently hold the scrotum and locate one testicle. Using both hands, roll the testicle gently but firmly between your thumb and fingers. Move across the entire surface, checking for any lumps, hard spots, or unusual textures. You will feel a soft, cord-like structure (the epididymis) at the top and back of each testicle—this is normal.
Step 3: Repeat on the other testicle
Examine the second testicle in the same way. Keep in mind that it’s normal for one testicle to be slightly larger or hang lower than the other.
Performing this self-check monthly can help you become familiar with what feels normal, so you can quickly identify changes and consult a healthcare professional if needed.
What to Look for During a Testicular Self-Check
When examining your testicles, focus on identifying any changes that feel unusual for you. Signs that may require medical attention include:
- Small, hard lumps (sometimes pea-sized) on or within the testicle
- Swelling, tenderness, or pain in one or both testicles
- Changes in size, shape, or consistency compared to your usual baseline
- A feeling of heaviness or discomfort in the scrotum
If you notice any of these changes, schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider. A primary care physician or a urologist—a specialist in urinary and male reproductive health—can perform further evaluation. Remember, not all testicular changes indicate cancer, but timely consultation ensures proper diagnosis and peace of mind.
How Often Should You Check Your Testicles?
The American Urological Association recommends performing a testicular self-check once a month. Regular monthly exams help you become familiar with the normal size, shape, and feel of your testicles, making it easier to detect changes early.
Since testicular cancer is most common in younger men—typically between ages 15 and 35—developing this monthly habit can be an important part of proactive health care. If you notice any unusual lumps, swelling, or discomfort during a self-check, contact your healthcare provider promptly for further evaluation.
How to Perform a Regular Skin Self-Check
In addition to professional screenings by a dermatologist, conducting regular self-checks at home can help detect early signs of skin cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends performing these checks in a well-lit room after bathing, when your skin is clean and dry. Use a full-length mirror and a hand-held mirror to view all areas of your body, especially those that are hard to see. You may also ask a partner or family member to help examine areas like your back or scalp.
Be thorough and check the following areas:
- Head and neck: Face, ears, and neck.
- Upper body: Chest and abdomen. If you have breasts, lift them to examine the skin underneath.
- Arms and hands: Underarms, forearms, palms, backs of hands, between fingers, and under fingernails.
- Front of legs and feet: Thighs, shins, tops of feet, between toes, and under toenails.
- Back of legs and feet: Backs of thighs, calves, and bottoms of feet.
- Back and buttocks: Lower and upper back, buttocks, genital area, back of the neck, and behind the ears.
- Scalp: Use a comb to part your hair in sections and check the scalp.
Performing a skin self-check once a month helps you recognize changes in moles, freckles, or other growths early—making it easier to discuss concerns promptly with a dermatologist.
What to Look for During a Skin Cancer Self-Check
When examining your skin, pay close attention to moles, birthmarks, or blemishes and note any changes since your last check. A helpful tool is the ABCDE rule, which highlights common warning signs of melanoma:
- A – Asymmetry: One half of the spot looks different from the other.
- B – Border: Edges are uneven, ragged, or blurred.
- C – Color: Multiple colors or uneven shading are present.
- D – Diameter: The spot is larger than 6 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser) or continues to grow.
- E – Evolving: The spot changes in size, shape, color, or symptoms (such as itching or bleeding).
Other possible signs of skin cancer include:
- A new or expanding growth
- A sore that bleeds and does not heal within a few weeks
- A rough, scaly red patch that may crust or bleed
- A wart-like growth
- A mole with irregular borders, unusual shape, or mixed colors
For thorough care, visit a dermatologist once a year for a professional skin exam. Dermatologists may take photos to track changes over time and use specialized lighting to examine suspicious areas. If you don’t already see a dermatologist, ask your primary care provider for a referral, or schedule an appointment directly if your insurance allows.
How Often Should You Check Your Skin?
There is no single established guideline for how frequently to perform skin self-checks. However, the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) recommends examining your skin on a regular basis to become familiar with what is normal for you and to detect any changes early.
The American Cancer Society emphasizes that self-checks are especially important for people at higher risk of skin cancer, including those who:
- Are immunocompromised due to health conditions or medications
- Have a personal history of skin cancer
- Have many moles or unusual skin spots
- Have a strong family history of skin cancer
To make it easier to remember, you can combine your skin check with other monthly self-checks, such as for your breasts or testicles. Bundling these practices into one routine helps ensure consistency and long-term prevention.
What to Do if You Find Something During a Cancer Self-Check
If you notice something unusual during a self-check of your breasts, testicles, or skin, it’s important to contact a doctor promptly. Your primary care provider is often the best first step. While many growths and lumps turn out to be benign (noncancerous), it’s always best to take changes seriously. Remember—you know your body best.
If you find a breast lump
Schedule an appointment with a primary care doctor or gynecologist. They may recommend further testing, such as:
- Breast ultrasound: Uses sound waves to create images of breast tissue.
- Mammogram: An X-ray of the breast (often scheduled separately).
- Breast biopsy: A small sample of tissue is removed for laboratory testing.
- Breast MRI: Uses magnets and radio waves to create a detailed image of the breast.
If you find a lump on your testicle
See a primary care doctor or urologist. Tests may include:
- Testicular ultrasound: Imaging of the testicles, scrotum, and abdomen.
- Blood tests: To check for tumor markers, infection, or other concerns.
- STI screening: To rule out infections such as gonorrhea or chlamydia.
- Testicular biopsy: A tissue sample is taken for laboratory analysis.
If you find an abnormal skin growth
Book an appointment with a dermatologist. Depending on the appearance, size, and depth of the growth, they may:
- Remove it in-office with a thin razor
- Perform a surgical excision for deeper or larger lesions
Next steps after diagnosis
If testing confirms cancer, your doctor will typically refer you to an oncologist and connect you with a specialized cancer care team to discuss treatment options.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why are self-checks important for cancer prevention?
Self-checks help you become familiar with your body, making it easier to notice changes early. Early detection often leads to more effective treatment.
How often should I perform a breast self-check?
While structured monthly breast self-exams are not recommended by all organizations, breast self-awareness is encouraged. Knowing what’s normal for you helps you recognize changes promptly.
How often should I perform a testicular self-check?
The American Urological Association recommends a monthly self-check to spot lumps, swelling, or other changes early.
How often should I perform a skin self-check?
The American Academy of Dermatology Association advises checking your skin regularly. Monthly checks are a good habit, especially if you’re at higher risk of skin cancer.
What tools do I need for self-checks?
A well-lit room, a full-length mirror, and a hand-held mirror help with skin checks. For breast and testicular exams, no tools are needed beyond your hands.
What signs should I look for during a breast self-check?
Look for changes in size, shape, skin texture, or nipples, as well as any lumps, swelling, or pain.
What signs should I look for during a testicular self-check?
Be alert to small, hard lumps, swelling, soreness, or changes in size or consistency.
Conclusion
Regular self-checks for the breasts, testicles, and skin are simple yet powerful ways to stay in tune with your body. While these checks don’t replace professional screenings or medical care, they can help you recognize unusual changes early when treatment is often most effective. Remember, not all lumps, spots, or growths are cancerous, but it’s always better to have them evaluated by a healthcare professional.