As Nigeria joins the global Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, here’s a simple, practical guide to help individuals—especially women—perform self-examinations for early signs of breast cancer.

In a video shared by health advocate and content creator, Chinonso Egemba, popularly known as Aproko Doctor, he highlighted the importance of regular self-checks, noting that early detection remains one of the best ways to reduce deaths from breast cancer.

He explained that the first step is visual inspection in front of a mirror.

“Start by observing your breasts. Remove your clothes, stand before a mirror, place your hands on your hips, and press them firmly to tighten your chest muscles.
This helps you spot any dimpling or irregularities. Pay close attention to those,” he advised.

Next, he demonstrated how to perform a physical examination using your fingers.

“Raise one arm and place it behind your head. Use the other hand to feel your breast in a pattern you can easily remember—move your fingers in a circular motion and don’t forget to check your armpit area.
The lymph nodes in the armpit help drain the breast, so it’s important to examine them too,” he explained.

Aproko Doctor further stressed the importance of checking for nipple discharge, swelling, or changes in shape and texture.

“Gently squeeze your nipple to see if there’s any discharge, such as blood.
Look out for red, purple, or orange patches on your skin. If your nipple begins to turn inward instead of outward, take note,” he cautioned.

He clarified that not every change means cancer but urged people to be familiar with their bodies and seek medical advice when something seems unusual.

“I’m not saying every change means cancer, but you should know what’s normal for you so nothing takes you by surprise,” he added.

The health expert also reminded men that they are not exempt from breast cancer.

“Share this information with your man too. Men can also have breast cancer. Let him focus on checking his own chest,” he said.

Health professionals generally advise that women perform breast self-examinations once a month—preferably a few days after their menstrual cycle—and report any unusual lumps, discharges, or skin changes to a qualified healthcare provider.