How to perform a proper breast self-exam?

I am actually making plans to schedule a mammogram. People tend to raise an eyebrow because I am only 23, but my reasoning is quite straightforward: I have a large bust. Performing self-examinations is an absolute nightmare for me; my breasts are incredibly sensitive and riddled with lumps, which makes the whole process deeply uncomfortable. Sometimes, it is even painful. To be perfectly honest, I rarely have any idea what exactly I am feeling when I palpate the tissue.
I did undergo an ultrasound once, which was conducted with extreme professionalism and thoroughness. However, "thorough" is perhaps an understatement, as the technicians spent at least twenty minutes on each breast, applying intense pressure and moving slowly, which turned the entire experience into a grueling ordeal. I was left in significant pain for the following three days, which is hardly ideal.
I attempt a brief self-check every now and then, depending on the month. Given that my mother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, I intend to start being much more disciplined about scheduling regular mammograms, likely every year or eighteen months.
If I happen to feel something suspicious, I usually defer to my gynecologist for the exam, as the procedure is far less awkward for them than it is for me.
I realize I might come across as eccentric, but believe me when I say... it is complicated. 😁

I was told that you aren't even eligible for a mammogram until you hit forty...🤷

Sarah Rodriguez68 said:I was told you aren't supposed to get a mammogram until you're at least 40...🤷

Actually, you can if a doctor determines it's necessary. In my case, they sent me for an ultrasound first, and it turned out I didn't even need the mammogram after all.

Honestly, you can get just about anything done if you’ve got the cash or the right connections 😛
A friend of mine who's an OB-GYN offered to do a breast exam for me—something my actual doctor never even brought up.
So now I'm just waiting for my period to start, then I'll try doing a self-exam once it's over (supposedly you're meant to do it during the first few days of your cycle).

I’ll be honest, I don't do regular self-exams very often. Between having larger breasts and just not really knowing exactly what I'm supposed to be feeling for in specific areas, it's a bit overwhelming, I guess.
I remember one time I felt a little lump and totally panicked, rushing straight to my OB-GYN, only to find out everything was perfectly fine—just some normal changes related to my cycle.
Last year, I started going in for an ultrasound once a year, though I suppose according to the official recommendations, I should probably be heading in every six months instead.
From what I understand, an ultrasound is usually sufficient for women under 40, since mammograms are really more intended for different types of breast tissue... if that makes sense?

Donna Taylor68 said:Well, you can get anything done if you're willing to pay up or if you have the right connections. 😛
One of my friends who's an OB-GYN does breast exams for her patients, but my doctor never even offered me one.
I'm just waiting for my period to end, then I'll try doing a self-exam (apparently you're supposed to do it during the first few days of your cycle).

During my last check-up, my doctor actually suggested it—as if it were some brand-new thing—a breast exam, for $15 if I remember correctly... I totally forgot about it until I stumbled upon this thread today... now I'm torn on whether I should actually go through with it. 😕
Back when we were doing those mandatory physicals for college, some idiot doctor tried to show us how to do a self-exam. Honestly, she was such a bully that one of my friends ended up jumping off the exam table and telling her exactly where to shove it. 🤣
Between all the "irregularities" people talk about, I'm not really confident doing it myself. Since I'm only in my early twenties, should I start asking my gynecologist to do these exams, or am I way too young for that? 🤷

Chloe Grant30 said:... so, I'm in my early twenties—should I actually be starting those gynecological exams yet, or am I getting ahead of myself? 🤷

It’s definitely not too early. Honestly, you should be getting a breast ultrasound once a year just to stay on top of things. And for heaven's sake, do your own self-checks once a month!

It’s honestly best to do your own checks while you're in the shower; having the water running over your chest makes it so much easier to feel any little changes. I personally have quite a few lumps, but I recently found one that felt just a bit... different. I ended up seeing my OB-GYN, who felt the breast and told me everything was fine—just standard hormonal shifts during my cycle. Apparently, things tend to swell and get tender right before your period and then settle down afterward. The only real red flag is if those lumps stay exactly the same regardless of where you are in your cycle. Now that I'm pregnant, my breasts are constantly sore and swollen, yet they still seem to fluctuate from day to day

Honestly, even at twenty-five, I still haven't quite mastered the art of performing my own self-exams—despite all the endless tutorials online, those glossy health brochures, and everything else out there. It’s a bit embarrassing, really! But if I'm being completely honest, I think I was mostly traumatized by that one visit to my primary care physician... she was being so incredibly thorough during the exam that the pressure on my chest was actually enough to make me see stars.

I reached out to a private OB-GYN in San Diego to schedule a breast ultrasound. She quoted me $117, which feels a little steep to me. For comparison, I usually pay $83 for a vaginal color Doppler ultrasound at another private clinic. Is $117 a reasonable price for a breast ultrasound? I haven't checked with any other offices yet, so I'm not really sure what the going rate is among other private practitioners.

Actually, it’s not even like that, right here you can see exactly what those girls ended up paying for their ultrasounds.

Could someone please recommend some private clinics in Washington, D.C. that specialize in breast exams? I am looking for the specific clinic names and, if possible, their addresses. Also, how does the scheduling work at private practices—is the wait time significantly shorter than at public hospitals? Thanks in advance.

My gynecologist usually handles my breast exams during my routine checkups, but since I see mine privately, maybe that’s why things feel different...

I make sure to perform self-exams regularly myself, mostly because there’s a history of breast cancer in my family—my grandmother passed away from it.
To be honest, I can't say for certain if I'm doing the technique perfectly, but my doctor emphasized how vital regular self-checks are. The idea is that once you become truly familiar with what your breasts normally look and feel like, you'll be able to spot even the tiniest changes, which is when you really need to reach out to a professional.

Also, timing is everything! It’s best to do these checks about ten days after the first day of your cycle. During that specific window, your breasts tend to feel tender and the glands can feel a bit swollen, so they aren't exactly in their "normal" state.

Jamie Barnes60 said:Actually, I wouldn't say that, since you can see how much other women have been paying for ultrasounds here.

Thanks.
Washington, D.C. is just different; there are so many private practices and the competition is intense. I did some digging into the prices and expertise over in San Diego. I didn't call everyone, but here are a few names: Dr. Mitrović $117, Dr. Lozo $83, and Dr. Vlatković $67. When I first called Mitrović, the receptionist tried to book me without even asking when my period was due. As far as I know, ultrasounds need to be timed with your cycle. I figured she’d probably just have me come in, do the scan, give me $117, and then tell me I had to come back once my period started, charging me another $117 in the process. I decided to go with Lozo instead. The sister on the phone was wonderful—she told me to just call her once my period starts, and she'll get me scheduled for the exam as early as the very next day. 👍

I'm pretty new to this forum and still trying to find my way around :S but I wanted to ask—or maybe more like vent—about something. A few days ago while showering, I felt this stinging sensation in my breasts, but then I realized it was actually just my nipples. They turned white and red, and now over the last couple of days, they've developed these tiny little crusty patches. It doesn't even sting anymore when I shower, so I'm wondering if anyone knows what this might be? Could it be some kind of infection, or did I just irritate them because I haven't been wearing a bra since I've been sick? I can't stand the feeling of one right now, so I've just been in loose shirts and I think I might have chafed them.
Thanks in advance 🙂

Laura Thomas55 said:Is a price of $117 for a breast ultrasound reasonable? I haven't called any other clinics, so I have no idea what other private practices are charging.

Look, if you can afford it and the price feels fair to you, then it's fine.🤷

I personally paid $233 (350 for the ultrasound, 350 for the biopsy). To be honest, the cost wasn't my main concern because I just wanted to get the exam done as quickly as possible to make sure everything was okay. If I had booked through a major hospital system, I would've been waiting a month or more. By going private, I was already in for my appointment the very next day...