Chances are good that everybody knows at least one person who has been affected by breast cancer. In fact, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), “approximately 12.4 percent of women will be diagnosed with female breast cancer at some point during their lifetime…” It is also the most common type of cancer; the NCI estimates that there will be 252,710 new cases of breast cancer in 2017 alone.

But there is good news! Breast cancer patients have a very high overall likelihood for survival: 89.7% surviving for 5 years, according to the NCI. This number is even higher for cases of localized (not metastasized) breast cancer at 98.9%. Unfortunately, the survival rate drops exponentially lower the longer the cancer goes undiagnosed or untreated.

So what can you do to help yourself? It comes down to a simple self-examination of your breasts. These self-examinations are exceedingly important because they allow you to get to know the normal look and feel of your breasts so you can quickly identify when there is an abnormality. Doing this monthly could quite literally save your life.

Self-examinations are very simple to carry out. While you are in the shower, slightly raise your arm. Use the three middle finger of your opposite hand to palpitate your armpit and breast using light, moderate, and firm pressure. Starting at your armpit, use circular motions to move up and down your breast until you have completely examined it. Repeat this same process on your other breast. You should also do this same thing while lying down. Additionally, stand in front of a mirror and look for visible changes including indentations, differences in skin texture, and discharge. You should try do you self-exam at a similar time each month; an especially good time is right after you have finished menstruating.

In case you would benefit from having one, you can find an instructional diagram here.