How to Check Your Boobs

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, our team at Birchbox UK partnered with CoppaFeel!, a UK-based charity that works to educate young people about early breast cancer detection. Education is at the heart of everything that CoppaFeel! do and we want to spread their message on the importance of getting to know your boobs throughout the month. To help, were sharing their tips on self breast exams that are your first line of defense. Heres exactly what you should be looking and feeling for when you lather up

LATHER
up in the shower with your favorite shower gel or body wash. Coppin a feel of your boobs in the shower helps to make it part of your usual routine and means youll soon know them like the back of your hand.

LOOK
for swelling in your armpit or around your collar bone.
for nipple inversion (turned in) and changes in direction.
for a rash or crusting of the nipple or surrounding area.
for a change in size and shape.
for changes in skin texture e.g. puckering or dimpling.
for nipple discharge.

FEEL
for lumps and thickening.
constant pain in your breast or armpit.

CHECK
your boobs at least once a month! By checking on a regular basis youll feel confident knowing whats normal for you. Remember, breast tissue reaches all the way up to your collarbones and underneath your armpits so take your time checking the whole area. If youre ever in doubt about anything then visit your doctor to put your mind at ease.

Want to get involved? Learn more about CoppaFeel! here.

This post originally appeared on blog.birchbox.co.uk