When you’re breastfeeding, your boobs are already going through a lot—swelling, leaking, changing shape, sometimes even pain. So if you’ve ever wondered how on earth you’re supposed to tell what’s “normal” and what’s not, you’re not alone. Many breastfeeding moms struggle to figure out how to check themselves for breast cancer without confusing every lump or ache for something serious. Here’s a step-by-step guide that’s simple, supportive, and built around what your body’s actually going through right now.
Why Self-Checks Still Matter (Even When You’re Nursing)
Many signs of cancer—like lumps or swelling—can look a lot like everyday breastfeeding issues (think clogged ducts or engorgement). That’s why being breast-aware is so important.
Mothers who are lactating may actually be more in tune with their breast health because of how many physical changes are happening. This awareness can help you notice any warning signs early. And while a woman can develop breast cancer at any point in her life, breastfeeding itself doesn’t increase your risk.
Self-checks won’t catch everything, but they help you stay in tune with your body. The more familiar you are with your “normal,” the faster you’ll notice when something feels off.
What’s Normal and What’s Not While Breastfeeding
Your breasts are basically milk factories right now, so a lot of changes are expected. Here’s what’s normal:
- Lumps that come and go—often due to clogged ducts or milk-filled cysts.
- Soreness or tenderness, especially if your milk is coming in or you’re engorged.
- Redness and warmth, which can mean mastitis (an infection that usually clears with treatment).
But here’s when to pay closer attention:
- A lump that sticks around for more than a couple of weeks and doesn’t shrink after feeding or pumping.
- Any area that feels firm, irregular, or different from the rest of your breast.
- Changes in nipple appearance—new inversion, discharge that’s not milk, redness, or crusting.
Even if something seems “normal-ish,” if it’s new and persistent, it’s always okay to ask your doctor.
How to Check Yourself for Breast Cancer
Step 1: Start With a Visual Check
Stand in front of a mirror. Look at your breasts with your arms at your sides, then raised. Check for changes in size, shape, or skin texture (like dimpling or puckering). Look at your nipples for changes in direction, discharge, or scabbing.
Step 2: Feel in the Shower
With soapy hands and wet skin, move your fingers in small circular motions over each breast. Cover the full area—from collarbone to under-bust, and from armpit to cleavage. Use light, medium, and firm pressure.
Step 3: Check While Lying Down
Place a pillow under your right shoulder and put your right arm behind your head. With your left hand, use those same circular motions to examine your entire right breast and underarm. Then switch sides.
Step 4: Don’t Forget Your Nipples
Gently squeeze each nipple to check for discharge (other than milk), pain, or sudden changes in appearance.
Step 5: Check Your Lymph Nodes
Your armpits aren’t the only place with lymph nodes. Run your fingers over your neck and groin too. Swollen nodes can happen for many reasons, but if they’re persistent, bring them up with your doctor.
When to Talk to Your Doctor
Reach out to a doctor if:
- You feel a new lump that doesn’t go away after a week or two.
- One breast suddenly looks or feels very different.
- Your nipple becomes inverted, red, or starts to ooze something other than milk.
- Mastitis symptoms don’t improve after antibiotics.
Even if it turns out to be nothing serious, catching any changes early is key. Trust yourself—you know your body better than anyone.
Does Breastfeeding Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer?
Yes. In fact, breastfeeding helps protect you not just against breast cancer, but also ovarian and uterine cancer. Even just two weeks of breastfeeding can make a difference. Two years or more brings even more protection.
Why Breastfeeding Helps Lower Risk
- Breastfeeding lowers your estrogen levels, which reduces exposure to hormones linked to cancer.
- It delays regular ovulation, which lowers your lifetime ovulatory age.
- Your breast tissue stores fewer toxins and carcinogens while lactating.
- Avoiding engorgement and inflammation (when you do breastfeed) may lower your risk.
If you can’t or choose not to breastfeed, it doesn’t mean you’re more likely to get cancer. Everyone’s risk is different.
What About Mammograms While Breastfeeding?
Good news: mammograms and other screenings like MRIs and ultrasounds are safe during breastfeeding. The only catch? Dense, milk-filled breasts can make scans a little harder to interpret. But radiologists know how to adjust for that.
If you need more advanced treatments like chemo or radiation, your doctor will guide you on whether to pause breastfeeding and how to keep your milk supply safe during breaks (like pumping and dumping).
Breastfeeding After Breast Cancer
If you’ve had breast cancer, it’s still possible to breastfeed—especially if only one breast was treated. The affected breast may produce less milk, but babies can thrive nursing from one side.
If you’re not able to breastfeed at all, there are ways to keep the closeness, like using a supplemental nursing system (SNS). That’s a soft tube that lets your baby nurse at the breast while receiving milk from a bottle.
Above all, don’t be discouraged. Every bit of care you give—whether with milk, formula, or cuddles—matters.
You’re Not Alone—And You’re Not Overreacting
It’s easy to second-guess yourself. But your instincts matter. Being proactive doesn’t mean you’re paranoid—it means you care about yourself as much as you care for your baby.
Checking yourself for breast cancer while breastfeeding isn’t about doing it perfectly. It’s about paying attention, asking questions, and speaking up if something doesn’t feel right.
You’re doing an amazing job. And taking care of your body? That’s part of it too.
References
- Breast Self-Exam: Get to Know Your Breasts in 5 Steps — BreastCancer.org (2025-09-30) A trusted step-by-step guide to performing a breast self-exam, including visuals and techniques for checking while lying down and in the shower.
- Breastfeeding and Breast Cancer Risk — BreastCancer.org (2025-04-29). Explains how breastfeeding affects breast cancer risk and breaks down data on cancer subtypes and protective factor
- Breast Cancer in Lactating Mothers: A Case Series of Delayed Diagnosis During Lactation — PMC (2022). Peer-reviewed case study showing how breast cancer can be masked by normal lactation changes, leading to delayed diagnosis.
- Breast Self-Exam for Breast Awareness — Mayo Clinic (2024-07-24). Covers the concept of breast awareness, how it differs from traditional self-exams, and when to seek medical evaluation.
