The Visual Inspection

Breast self-examination is not difficult to master and requires only a few minutes each month. To begin, stand in a comfortable, private, well-lighted room, where you can view your breasts in a large mirror. First inspect them visually to check for anything unusual, such as discharge from your nipples, or puckering, dimpling, or scaling of the skin. Then, clasp your hands behind your head and press your hands forward while watching your breasts closely in the mirror. Finally, press your hands firmly on your hips and bow slightly toward the mirror, pulling your shoulders and elbows forward.

During this inspection, check for the following characteristics:

Size and symmetry: Breasts vary greatly in size based on age, heredity, childbirth, breastfeeding, weight changes, and birth control pills or other hormones. In any event, they should be fairly symmetrical and point slightly to the outside. Your physician should examine any deviation.

Texture and shape: Most breasts are firm and rounded, though your breasts may become more flaccid after pregnancy, breastfeeding, or menopause.

Skin color: The color of your breasts depends on your own individual pigmentation. Although your breasts may be lighter than other areas not usually exposed to the sun, the color should be uniform throughout. Unusual coloration may indicate underlying problems. Redness suggests an infection, such as mastitis, a common inflammation of the mammary glands during breastfeeding. A blue hue might be caused by an increased blood supply to the area. Because this may indicate an abnormality, be sure to discuss it with your doctor.

Surface appearance: Breast skin normally looks smooth, although during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or a sudden weight gain, you may develop stretch marks that are reddish when they first appear and whiten with age. When these occur on both breasts, there is no cause for concern. Skin that develops an "orange peel" texture or dimpling, however, may be a sign of cancer.

Moles, growths, and sores: Watch for the appearance of any unusual growth on the skin, and be alert for a change in any existing growth.

Nipples and areola: Inspect the nipples and areola (the pigmented skin surrounding the nipple) for size, symmetry, color, direction, rashes, lesions, or discharge. Both nipples should be about the same size, as should the areola. Pregnancy and breastfeeding cause the size of these breast structures to increase and become more prominent.

Like the surrounding skin, pigmentation of the nipples varies in hue; but the color should be the same on both breasts. Any abnormal coloration -- redness or a bluish hue -- may indicate infection or an increased blood supply to the area and should be evaluated by a physician.

Most nipples point outward, though some women have nipples that are retracted, or pointed inward. If a nipple normally points outward but suddenly pulls in either spontaneously or when you move your arms, there may be a growth nearby. If you notice any rashes, growths, or ulcerations on the nipples, bring them to your doctors attention.

Spontaneous nipple discharge is another warning sign, though many women can squeeze a tiny amount of clear, yellowish or milky discharge from their nipples -- especially toward the end of pregnancy and throughout breastfeeding. Be sure to discuss any pinkish, bloody, or foul-smelling discharge with your physician.

From: Yahoo Health