October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Breast cancer screenings means getting your breasts checked for cancer before there are signs or symptoms of the disease. While regular breast screenings from your doctor are important, doctors say that you should do your own self-exams at home once a month.

Breast self-exam: Self-exams are when you feel your own breast for lumps or changes in size and shape. You should also feel for any changes in your armpit. There are many ways to do this including:

• In the shower: Raise your arm and use your free hand to check for lumps or changes around the armpit and breast area.

• In front of a mirror: Look at your breasts with your arms at your sides. Next, raise your arms high and look for any changes in the shape, swelling or changes in the nipples. Remember that no left and right breasts look exactly the same.

• Laying down: Place a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm behind your head. Using your left hand, move your fingers around your right breast and armpit, checking for lumps. Repeat this step on your left side.

Remember what is normal for you may not be normal for someone else. The way your breasts look and feel may change due to your menstrual cycle, giving birth, weight changes and aging. Breast self-exams help you to be familiar with how your breasts look and feel so you can alert your healthcare professional if there are any changes.