The 60-Second Breast Exam

Forget the complicated maneuvers—all it takes is a quick touchy-feely moment to catch cancer early.

• Breast Watch. The simplest thing you can do is check the mirror as you’re dressing each morning. Any wacky skin shenanigans—a scaly patch, new dimples or puckers— are cause to see your doctor. Ditto nipple discharge.

• Postperiod quick-feel. As soon as your period ends and your breasts lose those PMS lumps, make a date with yourself for a quickie. Lying flat on a bed with one hand behind your head and the other hand on your breast, make small circles on your skin with the pads of your three middle fingers. Move your hand alongside (as far as your armpit) and underneath the entire breast.

•If you do find a lump, rule out a simple physical quirk by feeling for a comparable one in the same area on your other breast: Tumors are almost always limited to one side, so if your lump is a loner, call your doctor. Although it’s probably nothing, it is worth the hassle of having a professional exam just to be sure.

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