{"id":1894,"date":"2026-02-07T19:55:47","date_gmt":"2026-02-07T10:55:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.rftcjapan.org\/?page_id=1894"},"modified":"2026-02-27T13:16:29","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T04:16:29","slug":"how-to-perform-a-proper-self-check","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rftcjapan.org\/en\/resources\/how-to-perform-a-proper-self-check\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Perform a Proper Self-Check"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"1894\" class=\"elementor elementor-1894\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3aa04fc e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3aa04fc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-54699c7 e-con-full elementor-hidden-mobile e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"54699c7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3be6c89 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3be6c89\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;sticky&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;sticky_on&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;],&quot;sticky_offset&quot;:100,&quot;sticky_parent&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;sticky_effects_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_anchor_link_offset&quot;:0}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7d218be elementor-toc--minimized-on-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-table-of-contents\" data-id=\"7d218be\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;headings_by_tags&quot;:[&quot;h2&quot;],&quot;exclude_headings_by_selector&quot;:[],&quot;marker_view&quot;:&quot;numbers&quot;,&quot;minimize_box&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;minimized_on&quot;:&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;hierarchical_view&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;min_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"table-of-contents.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-toc__header-title\">\n\t\t\t\tTable of Contents\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--expand\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__7d218be\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Open table of contents\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M143 352.3L7 216.3c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l22.6-22.6c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l96.4 96.4 96.4-96.4c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l22.6 22.6c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-136 136c-9.2 9.4-24.4 9.4-33.8 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--collapse\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__7d218be\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close table of contents\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M177 159.7l136 136c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-22.6 22.6c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0L160 255.9l-96.4 96.4c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0L7 329.7c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l136-136c9.4-9.5 24.6-9.5 34-.1z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-toc__7d218be\" class=\"elementor-toc__body\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__spinner-container\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"elementor-toc__spinner eicon-animation-spin e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-loading\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M500 975V858C696 858 858 696 858 500S696 142 500 142 142 304 142 500H25C25 237 238 25 500 25S975 237 975 500 763 975 500 975Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1caa047 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1caa047\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Resources<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-388150a elementor-widget elementor-widget-template\" data-id=\"388150a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"template.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-template\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"3065\" class=\"elementor elementor-3065\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2331\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b41ed49 e-con-full e-grid e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7b41ed49\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2331\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-171d201f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"171d201f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9d67a4f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9d67a4f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Navigating Care in Japan<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2983039 elementor-nav-menu--dropdown-none elementor-widget elementor-widget-nav-menu\" data-id=\"2983039\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;layout&quot;:&quot;vertical&quot;,&quot;submenu_icon&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;&lt;i aria-hidden=\\&quot;true\\&quot; class=\\&quot;\\&quot;&gt;&lt;\\\/i&gt;&quot;,&quot;library&quot;:&quot;&quot;}}\" data-widget_type=\"nav-menu.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<nav aria-label=\"\u30e1\u30cb\u30e5\u30fc\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu--main elementor-nav-menu__container elementor-nav-menu--layout-vertical e--pointer-none\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-1-2983039\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu sm-vertical\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2564\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rftcjapan.org\/en\/resources\/questions-for-your-doctor\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">Questions for Your Doctor<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2565\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rftcjapan.org\/en\/resources\/types-of-treatment-in-japan\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">Types of Treatment in Japan<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2566\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rftcjapan.org\/en\/resources\/what-is-breast-reconstruction\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">What is Breast Reconstruction?<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2567\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rftcjapan.org\/en\/resources\/where-to-get-reconstruction\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">Where to Get Reconstruction<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2563\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rftcjapan.org\/en\/resources\/medical-care-after-breast-cancer\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">Medical Care After Breast Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<nav class=\"elementor-nav-menu--dropdown elementor-nav-menu__container\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-2-2983039\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu sm-vertical\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2564\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rftcjapan.org\/en\/resources\/questions-for-your-doctor\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">Questions for Your Doctor<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2565\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rftcjapan.org\/en\/resources\/types-of-treatment-in-japan\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">Types of Treatment in Japan<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2566\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rftcjapan.org\/en\/resources\/what-is-breast-reconstruction\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">What is Breast Reconstruction?<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2567\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rftcjapan.org\/en\/resources\/where-to-get-reconstruction\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">Where to Get Reconstruction<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2563\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rftcjapan.org\/en\/resources\/medical-care-after-breast-cancer\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">Medical Care After Breast Cancer<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2331\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dca4bfa e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"dca4bfa\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ea7ccd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2ea7ccd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Mammogram &amp; Screening<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2941900 elementor-nav-menu--dropdown-none elementor-widget elementor-widget-nav-menu\" data-id=\"2941900\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;layout&quot;:&quot;vertical&quot;,&quot;submenu_icon&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;&lt;i aria-hidden=\\&quot;true\\&quot; class=\\&quot;\\&quot;&gt;&lt;\\\/i&gt;&quot;,&quot;library&quot;:&quot;&quot;}}\" data-widget_type=\"nav-menu.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<nav aria-label=\"\u30e1\u30cb\u30e5\u30fc\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu--main elementor-nav-menu__container elementor-nav-menu--layout-vertical e--pointer-none\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-1-2941900\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu sm-vertical\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2597\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rftcjapan.org\/en\/resources\/what-to-expect-from-a-mammogram\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">What to Expect From a Mammogram<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2595\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rftcjapan.org\/en\/resources\/how-mammograms-work\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">How Mammograms Work<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2596\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rftcjapan.org\/en\/resources\/post-mammogram-self-care-guide\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">Post-Mammogram Self-Care Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<nav class=\"elementor-nav-menu--dropdown elementor-nav-menu__container\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-2-2941900\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu sm-vertical\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2597\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rftcjapan.org\/en\/resources\/what-to-expect-from-a-mammogram\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">What to Expect From a Mammogram<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2595\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rftcjapan.org\/en\/resources\/how-mammograms-work\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">How Mammograms Work<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2596\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rftcjapan.org\/en\/resources\/post-mammogram-self-care-guide\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">Post-Mammogram Self-Care Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2331\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec5a04b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ec5a04b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0555587 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0555587\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Self-Check Guide<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c94af52 elementor-nav-menu--dropdown-none elementor-widget elementor-widget-nav-menu\" data-id=\"c94af52\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;layout&quot;:&quot;vertical&quot;,&quot;submenu_icon&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;&lt;i aria-hidden=\\&quot;true\\&quot; class=\\&quot;\\&quot;&gt;&lt;\\\/i&gt;&quot;,&quot;library&quot;:&quot;&quot;}}\" data-widget_type=\"nav-menu.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<nav aria-label=\"\u30e1\u30cb\u30e5\u30fc\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu--main elementor-nav-menu__container elementor-nav-menu--layout-vertical e--pointer-none\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-1-c94af52\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu sm-vertical\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2568\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rftcjapan.org\/en\/resources\/how-to-perform-a-proper-self-check\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">How to Perform a Proper Self-Check<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<nav class=\"elementor-nav-menu--dropdown elementor-nav-menu__container\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-2-c94af52\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu sm-vertical\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-2568\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rftcjapan.org\/en\/resources\/how-to-perform-a-proper-self-check\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">How to Perform a Proper Self-Check<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a2138e3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a2138e3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d07d3b7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d07d3b7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How to Perform a Proper Self-Check<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63bc026 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"63bc026\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A breast self-check is a simple way to become familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel\u2014<strong>so you can notice changes early<\/strong>. While it does not replace mammograms or clinical exams, it is an <strong>important monthly habit for all women<\/strong>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8dec78f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8dec78f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"608\" height=\"377\" src=\"https:\/\/rftcjapan.org\/wpdata\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/graphic-self-check-feature.svg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-7065\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-47050de e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"47050de\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f974a38 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f974a38\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">When to Do a Breast Self-Check<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f1f915c color-bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f1f915c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>Once a month<\/li><li>5\u20137 days after your period ends (breasts are less tender and swollen)<\/li><li>If you no longer menstruate: choose the same day each month<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c407e9 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7c407e9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cdafc57 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cdafc57\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">STEP 1: Look at Your Breasts (In the Mirror)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e27c2e9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e27c2e9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/rftcjapan.org\/wpdata\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/self-check-step1.svg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-6391\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f6c7196 color-bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f6c7196\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Stand undressed from the waist up with your arms:<\/p><ol><li><strong>At your sides<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Raised above your head<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Hands pressed on hips, tightening chest muscles<\/strong><\/li><\/ol><p>Look for:<\/p><ul><li>Changes in size, shape, or symmetry<\/li><li>Skin dimpling, puckering, or redness<\/li><li>Nipple changes (turning inward, discharge, rash)<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-01c4017 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"01c4017\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-301df3c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"301df3c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">STEP  2: Feel Your Breasts Standing (In the Shower)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-020ea7f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"020ea7f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/rftcjapan.org\/wpdata\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/self-check-step2.svg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-6392\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ca01f6 color-bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5ca01f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Using the pads of your three middle fingers:<\/p><ul><li>Apply <strong>light, medium, and deep pressure<\/strong><\/li><li>Move in a <strong>circular pattern<\/strong><\/li><li>Cover the <strong>entire breast area<\/strong>:<ul><li>From collarbone to bra line<\/li><li>From armpit to the center of the chest<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><p><strong style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Noto Sans', sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';\">Also check your armpit (lymph node area).<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a86d7dc e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a86d7dc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dad66c9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"dad66c9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">STEP  3: Feel Your Breasts Lying Down<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c5c3ee3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c5c3ee3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/rftcjapan.org\/wpdata\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/self-check-step3.svg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-6393\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f31cfd7 color-bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f31cfd7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Lie on your back with a pillow under one shoulder; this spreads the breast tissue evenly. Using the same circular motion and pressure, check:<\/p><ul><li>Breast tissue<\/li><li>Nipple area<\/li><li>Under the breast fold<\/li><li>Armpit<\/li><\/ul><p>And then repeat on the other side.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a605771 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a605771\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4efbedb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4efbedb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What Are You Feeling For?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6dfe446 color-bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6dfe446\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>A <strong>new lump<\/strong> or <strong>thickened area<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Hard knots<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Persistent pain in one spot<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Changes that feel different from last month<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><p>Most breast changes are <strong style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Noto Sans', sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';\">not cancer<\/strong><span style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Noto Sans', sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';\">, but any new finding should be checked by a doctor.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d8c367 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6d8c367\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-88bac1b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"88bac1b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What\u2019s Normal?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19f2abf color-bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"19f2abf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Normal breasts may:<\/p><ul><li>Feel <strong>lumpy or tender before a period<\/strong><\/li><li>Be slightly <strong>uneven<\/strong><\/li><li>Change with age, pregnancy, or hormones<\/li><\/ul><p>The key is noticing <strong style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Noto Sans', sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';\">what is normal for YOU.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27fb121 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"27fb121\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-08c95c9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"08c95c9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">When to See a Doctor Immediately<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fc0f17b color-bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fc0f17b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Make an appointment if you notice:<\/p><ul><li>A new or growing lump<\/li><li>Nipple discharge (especially bloody or clear)<\/li><li>Skin dimpling or thickening<\/li><li>A nipple that suddenly turns inward<\/li><li>Redness or warmth that doesn\u2019t go away<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff5e663 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ff5e663\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f621d0 e-con-full section-s e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0f621d0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-96f6faf e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"96f6faf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e74fc9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5e74fc9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Important Reminder<\/h5>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fd397de elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fd397de\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Breast self-checks do not replace mammograms.<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-450ba54 color-bullet-list elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"450ba54\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The safest approach to breast health is:<\/p><ul><li>\u00a0Monthly breast self-check<\/li><li>Annual doctor exam<\/li><li>Regular mammograms based on age and risk<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-649f4ea elementor-absolute elementor-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon\" data-id=\"649f4ea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_position&quot;:&quot;absolute&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"icon.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-bookmark\" viewBox=\"0 0 384 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M0 512V48C0 21.49 21.49 0 48 0h288c26.51 0 48 21.49 48 48v464L192 400 0 512z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of Contents Resources A breast self-check is a simple way to become familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel\u2014so you can notice changes early. While it does not replace mammograms or clinical exams, it is an important monthly habit for all women. When to Do a Breast Self-Check Once a month 5\u20137 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":38,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1894","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Perform a Proper Self-Check - RFTC Japan<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/rftcjapan.org\/en\/resources\/how-to-perform-a-proper-self-check\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Perform a Proper Self-Check - RFTC Japan\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Table of Contents Resources A breast self-check is a simple way to become familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel\u2014so you can notice changes early. 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