Lie down and place a pillow under your right shoulder.

Use the pads of your two middle fingers on your left hand to feel for lumps in the right breast. make sure you press firmly enough to know how your breast feels.

Move your hand around the breast in a pattern. You can choose a circular pattern or follow an imaginary up and down line. Whatever pattern you choose, make sure you use the same one each time you perform a BSE. Move the pillow to your left shoulder and repeat the exam on your left breast.

Repeat this same examination on both of your breasts while standing, with one arm placed behind your head. It's good to do this portion of the exam while looking in the mirror so you can notice any changes in the appearance of your breast. This position makes it easier to check the upper and outer part of the breasts, where about 50 percent of breast cancers are found.

Information about the breast self-examination and how to perform it correctly and general information about breast cancer can be found at www.behealthy.com.