Well firstly, if you've not already, please check out $Moonbeam13's journal, as well as $lolly's, @kamizu's, @youthculture's and anyone else who is supporting the Weekend to end Breast Cancer. You'd be stark crazy to miss out on this: its dA history after all.

As I'm sure you're aware, breast cancer is the most diagnosed form of cancer amongst women: it can also be one of the most deadliest if untreated and undected. So, here's advice on how you can check yourself out. Touch yourself: it might just be the best touch you ever got.

The Visual Examination

Stand in front of a mirror with your arms hanging loosely by your side. Have a good inspect of your bewbs: is there anything different about them? Any puckering or dimpling? Are the nippes inverted when they shouldn't be? Is there a noticable change in the size and texture (NB: it is not adivsable to carry this check out immediately before, during or after your period as breast size can change during this time)? Are there any lumps visible? Once you've answered these questions to your satisfaction, it's time to move on to the physical examination!

The Physical Examination: The Clock Method

Lie down on your back with your left hand resting comfortably behind your head. Imagine your left breast is a clock and rest your index, middle and fourth finger where the 12 would be, right at the top of the breast. Gently massage your fingers around, checking for lumps or bumps. Once you've complete a full clock, move your fingers closer to the nipple and repeat the process. Carry on until you have reached your nipple. It's important to check your nipple for discharge, so give it a good squeeze at positions 12 and 6, 3 and 9 o'clook.

Place your right arm behind your head and use your left arm to carry out the same check on your right breast.

Remember to check both the area around your breast and the lymph nodes under your arms for any changes

The Physical Examination: The Wedge Method

Imagine your breasts are pies divided into equal segments (note: coating your breasts in pie filling does help the imagination, but does not aid in the examination). Lie down on your back and place your left hand behind your head. Using your right hand, take the index, middle and fourth finger and massage each segment gently from the top of the breast to the nipple, again checking for any lumps or bumps.

Put your right arm behind your head and reapeat above using your left hand to examine your right breast.

Remember to test the nipples for discharge and the surrounding skin and lymph nodes.

The Physical Examination: The Sweeping Method

This method is for those who find the two suggested above difficult or uncomfortable. Starting from your collarbone and working in a clockwise direction, press your index, middle and fourth finger along the skin, passing the lymph nodes on the way to the nipple.

Don't forget those nipples!

I think I've found a lump, what do I do?

Do not panic! It is very important to remember that a lot of lumps turn out to be banine tumours or totally non cancer related problems. Breast infections are not uncommon, and can manifest themselves in many forms.

If you are at all concerned though, or simply would like a professional to conduct a breast exam on you, do not hesitate to contact your doctor or GP. It is, after all, better to be safe than sorry.