Conducting a breast examination on one's self as a woman is one of the best ways to be less anxious of breast cancer, and we don't even have to be doctors to know what to look for.

When you frequently examine your breasts, you quickly become used to what is and isn't normal about your breasts.

Once you find any lump or anything abnormal, it's time to see a doctor. However, before you begin to panic about finding a lump, note that not all lumps denote cancer.

So, here's how to conduct a perfect self examination.

You can conduct your breast exam in front of a mirror, lying down or whilst in the shower. Examine your breast with the pads of your fingers, working from the outer breast towards the nipple. Gently press your nipple to check out for discharges.

Divide your breasts mentally in four sections: Even though lumps can be found anywhere, it is easier to describe to your doctor where exactly you found the lump. So, divide your breasts into; upper outer (including your armpit), upper inner, lower outer and lower inner.

What to check for; Size (big or small) and texture (hard or soft) of the lump; mobility (fixed or mobile) and pain (painful or not); where it was found; any discharge from your nipple either on its own or when you press; any changes on the skin around your breast?

What your findings mean; If your texture is hard and not as soft as grapes, then it is abnormal. If your lump is fixed and doesn't move around, it is abnormal.

If there is a nipple discharge, your nipples are inverted, the skin around the lump, then it's abnormal.

If you feel pain, it could be due to your menstrual cycle, undergoing a physical activity without a supportive bra, or too much consumption of caffeine and can be described as normal. It becomes abnormal when the pain is only on one breast. Most times though, breast cancer lumps are usually painless.

Try to carry out a self breast examination around same time every month. Do not conduct one just before your period. Wait till it's your mid-cycle.

Women on menopause can just pick a date and stick to that date every month.

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