Catching cancer early is still the best way to survive cancer and thrive when your treatment is over. Learning how to do a monthly breast exam self-check and then actually doing them may be the best way for you to preserve your health for now and the future.

Many women don’t know how or when to do a proper breast exam-self check. The first step in a breast self exam is to look at your breasts, in a mirror with your hands at your sides or on your hips. This is just a general overview.

Basically, you are looking to make sure the color is right and that there is no dimpling, bulging, or puckering of the skin. You also want to make sure that your nipples are the right color, in the right place, and are sticking out, as opposed to being sunken in, or inverted.