By Desiree Salas (media@latinospost.com) | First Posted: Oct 05, 2015 07:07 AM EDT

Early detection is key to beating breast cancer. How does one catch it at its earliest stage?

"Some women will notice a dimple starting in the skin and it starts to pooch in almost like a divot," explained Dr. Erica Giblin St. Vincent Woman's Center, as noted by Fox59. "That is abnormal. That means the skin is being pulled down by something inside of the breast...they need to see their doctor."

Doctors have agreed that regular self-examinations are important; even doing one monthly can help save your life. But how do you do self examinations?

"You take your fingers, the pads of the fingers and you start pushing gently on the breast so you can test the tissues that are superficial right beneath the skin," Dr. Giblin said. "Then you push harder so you can feel the deeper tissues of the breast."

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, this simple procedure can be done while in the shower, in front of a mirror, or while lying down.

If doing the procedure standing up, you should also check your breasts while both are raised. Do note that while both breasts normally won't exactly be the same size or do not match, spotting any other anomalies or changes should be cause for a visit to your doctor. Even itching that cannot be relieved by ointments or other medications, swelling, redness, and discharges that are bloody (even when not pinched) should be taken as warning signs.

"Many women may find that their breasts feel lumpy," Komen.org advised. "Breast tissue naturally has a bumpy texture. Some women have more lumpiness in their breasts than others. In most cases, this lumpiness is no cause to worry."

"If the lumpiness can be felt throughout the breast and feels like your other breast, then it is probably normal breast tissue," it added.

However, if you feel lumps harder than the rest of your breast or if you feel there's something different, you should see a health care provider as soon as you can. Do the same thing even if you're unsure.

Monthly self-exams are important, as not doing this procedure may lead to more cancer growth once it sets in.

"By the time most women palpate their nodule, it is greater than two centimeters. What does that mean? It puts you at stage two breast cancer," Dr. Giblin explained. "Be your own advocate, because if you do feel something. You may have saved your life."

Further, it should be noted that self-exams should not be the only checks a woman does in order to detect breast cancer at its earliest inception. Regular mammograms should also be done to ensure you're on top of the issue.

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