Hiya Prevention Pioneers,
In honor of breast cancer prevention month, it’s time to #checkyourselfie!
Keep A Breast Founder, Shaney jo Darden, joined me for this interview to share how to do a breast check infused with fun and self-love. We also discuss important tips on breast health and prevention.
In this video, Shaney and I check our own breasts and we hope you’ll join us! If you’ve got some privacy, follow along—or try this at home later. Her approach makes regular self-checks fun, non-taboo and as normal as brushing your teeth.
A few self breast exam tips we should all keep in mind:
1. Your breast area extends all the way under your armpit—so you might need to expand the amount of terrain you’re exploring. (The majority of lumps are found in this area.)
2. Your partner may be the one to feel a lump in your breast, so it’s important to raise his or her awareness, as well.
3. Men can also get breast cancer, so you should #checkyourselfie, too!
We also talked about the importance of avoiding endocrine disruptors (especially BPA), and Shaney filled me in on her free app that reminds us when it’s time to do another self-love boobie check (hint: for the ladies, right after your period is best!).
Here’s a Recap of Shaney’s 5 Self Breast Exam Steps (aka: How to do a Breast Cancer Prevention Self-Check):
1. Mirror Mirror
Look in the mirror and see what you’ve got going on. Put your hands over your head, and then on your hips. Front boob and side boob are created equal, so be sure to include both.
2. Mini Massage
Next, keep looking in the mirror and put one hand behind your head. Now, place three fingers to your breast and check for anything that strikes you as weird or not your “normal”.
3. Up & Down
Move your three fingers in small circles with different levels of pressure. Choose easy, medium and then hard while walking your fingers to the next area, instead of lifting them off your boobies.
4. Your Pits
Cover your entire breast up and down and into the armpit area, finishing inside your armpit. Leave no breast area unchecked! Side boobs are boobies, too. Spend extra time in your pits where your lymphatic system lives and where many breast cancers develop—they may need extra circle massage love.
5. Squeeze
Lastly, squeeze each nipple. If there is any discharge or pain, see a doctor right away.
You can find out more about Shaney’s #checkyourselfie campaign, plus grab loads of helpful resources at her website.
Please help me keep this vital conversation going by sharing this interview with everyone you know.
Remember, breast cancer affects women of all ages—young women included (and dudes). Don’t be shy—protect your boobs. Embrace Prevention. And tell your friends!
Your turn: Pledge to #checkyourselfie by leaving a comment below.
Peace & nipple pinching,
Thanksa lot. I loved it.
Thank you…I feel very supported…this is a great video…awesome actually.
Fabulous! Love this he emphasis on lovely caring and loving our bodies and not coming from a place of fear.
Thank you so much!
Thank -you wellness rockstars for taking this teachable moment to give us some self-care and self-love tips! At almost 40, I have never been educated on how to do a self check. I loved the video and plan to share it with my girlfriends. Thanks for taking the awkwardness out of breast exams and making it an act of self-care. I’m inspired to continue the self-love with a smoothie for breakfast!
You made my day! xo, kc
Thank you for this loving reminder. I am 48 and just did my first self exam with you wonderful women. Never too late to step into responsible self care. Much love and gratitude!!!
Larissa
Keep it up, Larissa! So proud of you. xo, kc
This is a great interview and make the self check process clear. I hope that younger women will relate to the app andthe simple instruction and make this a regular part of their routine. As a breast cancer survivor of 6 years, I am very supportive of efforts for early detection. The self exam is critical for young women, especially those under 40 or 45 who don’t have mammograms yet. They don’t develop breast cancer as often as post-menopausal women but when they do, it is often aggressive. They need to be vigilant on their own behalf.
Thank you! What a great fun way to self check
I have not done any checking for a long while so thank you so much for this fun reminder!!
That was interesting and fun, but never knew before that women can have bumpy breasts, often wondered how they check them. But certainly was not aware men need to do this as well as they too (although beast cancer is rare in men) can get breast cancer. I thought only women could get it.
Thank you so much for sharing this Kris!!! There is no reason women (or men) should feel uncomfortable about checking our breasts, but for some reason we do. You made this fun and approachable instead of intimidating xxoo
i had a malignant tumor removed last September. I was not able to feel the lump with manuel checks. What I know now is you have to feel deeper into the breast tissue not just on the surface. It may hurt a little to dig deeper but it’s worth it.
I sat here by my computer with my cup of tea and followed the directions for a check. Thank you!
Your breast area extends all the way under your armpits—so you might need to expand the amount of terrain you’re exploring.
Thank you for the information- very helpful. I love the taking a few minutes to breathe first before starting the “boob session.” I just jump right in without too much breathing- must stop that. I made a decision to not have mammograms, instead I am opting for thermography. I will be turning 40 in a few months and my doctors are pushing me to go the mammogram route because it’s standard procedure in our country and my mom had breast cancer. I am pushing for a new protocol for myself- checking my breasts once a month then checking once a year with thermography. Does anyone know about thermography and if it’s truly a better way to go? I would greatly appreciate the knowledge.
I never heard of thermography only that mammogram can be cancer causing like over exposure to X-Rays. Also tight bra can cause cancer because it hinders blood flow.
Check out dr. Veronique Desaunier’s website, the truth about cancer series, and dr. Christiane Northrup. These resources will address all of your questions and concerns in great detail. Your breasts are a beautiful and natural part of your body which need your love! Dr. Northrup talks about not being a “mine sweeper” looking for problems but instead having a mind set of giving your “girls” a big dose of love and self awareness. Thermography is NOT radiation and detects heat/blood flow (angiogenesis is when a tumor develops its own blood supply)) perhaps many years before anything would show up on a mammogram. It’s worth investigating. Get toxic chemicals out of your life – home, beauty and body products, food, and your thoughts. Ladies, let’s raise our awareness and share our knowledge.
Thank you both for sharing this. Makes it fun and raises awareness. Someone wrote below about not doing mammograms unless breastcancer runs in your family, and that is not true as far as I know. Isn’t it actually more common that you get breastcancer if it’s not in your family? I’ve read studies on this and I was really surprised. I’m not sure about mammograms though since they put unnessescary radiation through your breast tissue. Most women I know don’t even question this. Should they? I’ not at all sure I want to do them when that time comes.
The things I do to take care of my boobies are;
-Not wearing an underwire bra (unless it’s a party going on), since this stops the lymphatic flow. Wearing a soft bra or a tight t-shirt works just fine even If you have bigger boobies.
-Making sure the deo I use does not have aluminiumsalts in it. You don’t want that going straight into the sensitive lymphatic system and into your breasts. Please Kris, make this your next mission in the make-up department. There are so many great ones out there.
-Massaging my breasts every day in the shower. Makes it quick and easy.
LOVE you both! Thanks!!
XOXOX
Lynn
Thank you to you sexy, boobalicious ladies for this informative video. Love that your putting it out there. We must love ourselfies….. Much love
Appreciate the exam. Don’t appreciate the headline, “I never thought I’d pink my my nipples
on…”
Thanks ladies for making women’s health issue less scary for people.
No fear~ all education and empowerment! You rock!