---
title: "How To Check Your Breasts at Home — Guide for Ghanaian Women"
description: "Learn how to do a breast self-examination at home. Step-by-step guide for Ghanaian women on what to check, what changes are warning signs, and when to see a doctor."
keywords: "how to check breasts at home Ghana, breast self examination Ghana, breast cancer symptoms Ghana, breast lump Ghana, breast cancer early signs Ghana, breast health Ghana women, how to check for breast cancer Ghana"
url: "https://bima.com.gh/blog/how-to-check-breasts-at-home-ghana"
language: "en"
---

# How To Check Your Breasts at Home — A Step-by-Step Guide for Ghanaian Women

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Ghanaian women. This step-by-step guide shows you how to check your own breasts at home every month and what warning signs to report to a doctor.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in Ghana. The good news is that when it is found early, treatment is far more likely to succeed. One of the simplest and most important things every woman can do is check her own breasts regularly at home.

This guide shows you exactly how to do a breast self-examination — step by step — and what to look out for.

## How often should you check?

Check your breasts once a month. The best time is a few days after your period ends, when your breasts are least likely to be tender or swollen. If you no longer have periods, choose a fixed date each month — like the 1st or 15th.

## Step 1 — Look in the mirror

Stand in front of a mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms by your sides. Look carefully at both breasts. Then raise your arms above your head and look again.

You are looking for:

  * Any change in size, shape, or symmetry
  * Skin that looks dimpled, puckered, or looks like orange peel
  * A nipple that has turned inward \(when it was not before\)
  * Redness, rash, or unusual skin texture
  * Swelling, bulge, or new visible lump

## Step 2 — Feel while standing

Use your right hand to feel your left breast, and your left hand to feel your right breast. Keep your fingers flat and together. Use the pads of your fingers \(not the tips\) and apply firm, smooth circular pressure.

Move in a circular pattern from the outside of your breast toward the nipple, covering every part. Do not forget the area from your armpit down to your bra line. Check your armpit too — this is where lymph nodes sit and can swell if something is wrong.

## Step 3 — Feel while lying down

Lie on your back. Place your right arm behind your head and use your left hand to feel your right breast using the same circular motion. Then switch sides. Lying down spreads the breast tissue more evenly, making it easier to feel deep tissue.

## Step 4 — Check the nipple

Gently squeeze each nipple. Note any discharge — fluid that comes out when you are not breastfeeding, especially if it is bloody, yellow, or greenish. Any unusual discharge should be checked by a doctor.

## What changes should you report to a doctor?

  * A new lump or hard area anywhere in the breast or armpit
  * A lump that feels different to the surrounding tissue
  * Skin dimpling or puckering
  * A nipple that has pulled inward
  * Nipple discharge \(especially bloody\)
  * Unexplained pain in one area that does not go away
  * Any change in size or shape that is new

Important reminder

Most lumps are NOT cancer — they are often cysts, fatty tissue, or benign growths. But any new lump should always be checked by a doctor as soon as possible. Do not wait and hope it will go away.

## Watch the technique

[How To Do a Breast Self-Exam — Step by StepWatch on YouTube · ~4 min](https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+do+breast+self+examination+step+by+step)[Early Signs of Breast Cancer — What African Women Should KnowWatch on YouTube · ~5 min](https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=breast+cancer+early+signs+African+women)

Early detection saves lives. If you notice any change in your breasts or would like to speak to a doctor about breast health, BIMA's B-Care plan gives you access to a licensed doctor from your phone at any time.

[Talk to a doctor with B-Care by BIMA](https://bima.com.gh/b-care)