A note on terms:
Breast cancer can affect anybody, and everybody is welcome in CoppaFeel!’s community. We try to be actively inclusive in our language, and we ask people how they want to be described.
The word ‘chest’ is inclusive of all bodies and genders. When we need to be clinically accurate, we use the word ‘breast’. You might prefer to call your chest something else, and that’s ok!
People of all ages and genders can get breast cancer. If found early, breast cancer is very treatable and survival rates are higher. Get to know what’s normal for you and check your chest every month.
Who this page is for
Chest checking should be accessible to everyone. We want everyone to check their chests monthly, be aware of the symptoms of breast cancer and speak to their GP if they notice an unusual change.
Some people may find checking their chests difficult because of a disability or condition that affects movement or sensation in their upper limbs or body. Other conditions, such as blindness, may also affect your ability to check.
The information on this page is for people who may experience reduced movement or sensation in their upper limbs or body. Informed by disabled people, it aims to reduce barriers to finding accessible chest checking guidance and getting support.
“Checking your chest should be accessible; just because you're disabled doesn't mean you can't get breast cancer.”![]()
Reasons you may need to check in a different way
Chest checking guidance often asks you to both look and feel. That might not feel accessible or relatable to you if you experience:
- Limited or reduced sensation, movement, strength or grip in your upper body, hands or arms.
- Difficulty finding a position to check that works for you
- Pain or discomfort
- Tiredness or low energy
- Difficulty finding time in busy physical therapy routines
These are some reasons why you may need to check your chest in a different way. There may be others.
Whatever the reason, it’s still important to check your chest every month in a way that works for you. You can also ask someone you trust to support you.
Top tips for checking your chest
The area that can be affected by breast cancer reaches:
- all the way up to your collarbones
- underneath your armpits
- and your nipples
Ideally, you should check this whole area each time. If possible, you should both look and feel every time you check and be aware of the symptoms of breast cancer.
If you can feel your chest, but you do not find it easy, we have some tips below that might help.
Finding a position that works for you
This may help if you cannot lift your arms above your head. For example, if you have weakness or less movement in your arms. It may also help if you get tired easily.
- You could check lying down. It might be easier to lift your arms this way.
- Checking in the shower or bath may also help, as the flowing water can help with movement.
- Lying in a face-down (prone) position, using pillows or wedges under your stomach to prop yourself up, can work well.
- You might be able to use your hands or your fingers, but not both. Using either works when checking.
The most important thing is to find a way that works for you.
Coping with tiredness or pain
If you get tired or have pain, check your chest when your energy feels higher and your pain feels more controlled. You know your body best, so choose a time that feels right for you.
You can also take breaks when you’re checking. Or you can break checking into smaller steps. For example, focus on checking one side of your chest first and the other later.
If you experience any constant, unusual pain in your breast or pec, or armpit, speak to your GP.
Using aids to support you
Propping your arms or elbow onto something to hold your arms up can help. You don’t need special equipment for this. You could use your mobility aid if you have one. Or a chair, desk, height-adjustable surface or pillows.
This can help to steady your hand or support your arms if moving them is hard.
If one hand has more strength or grip than the other, you could place that hand over the other to help your grip and apply pressure.
Getting someone to assist while you check
You might want to check yourself independently, but have somebody there to help if you need. They could put their hand over yours to help you to push, steady your hand, or apply pressure. This can help if you struggle with grip or strength. Or if you get spasms, involuntary movements, or tremors.
Get into the habit of checking your chest every month. It can take time to find a way that works for you. Doing it monthly will help build your confidence.
Asking someone to assist you with chest checking
If these tips for checking don’t work for you, it could make more sense to ask for support with checking. Ask someone you trust to help you. Remember, finding someone you feel comfortable with is a personal choice.
You also might check your own chest now, but you may need to ask for support in the future if your condition changes.
You could ask:
- a carer
- family member
- partner
- friend
- or a healthcare professional who could schedule regular reviews.
Introducing the conversation of chest checking might feel uncomfortable at first. Our website can help you explain to the person supporting why checking is important.
Chest checking should be part of your regular self-care routine. We recommend doing it monthly! So, try to find somebody you see every month. Over time, they will get to know what your normal is. This will help you to both notice if there are any unusual changes.
You can sign up for monthly text, email or calendar reminders. Why not ask the person helping you to do the same?
Or tell them to visit our online tool The Self-Checkout. It will guide them through how to check.
Remember, you can ask the person helping to stop at any point. For example, if you feel uncomfortable or need a break. You can also set your own boundaries with the person helping, the first time they check for you.
Getting support from a healthcare professional
A healthcare professional supporting you might be your preference. If so, you can ask for a chest check any time you see your GP for a health concern or check-up. For example, this could be at an annual health check, blood test, smear, or other appointment.
Your GP would also be happy to see you regularly for a chest check at routine appointments. This is the case whether you have noticed a change in your chest or not.
Tell them you would like some support when you speak to them and they can help to make a plan on how best to support you.
If you have a history of breast cancer in your family, speak to your GP. Depending on your risk, you may also be entitled to regular screening.
What to do if you notice a change
If you, or the person helping you, notice a change that’s unusual for you, speak to your GP.
When you book your appointment:
- Tell them what support you will need in the appointment. You can remind the GP again at the start of the appointment.
- If you need it, you can ask what accessible equipment they have in place.
- You can ask for a longer appointment, so you have more time.
- You can bring a carer, family member, partner or friend who you trust to the appointment. If you need physical support, tell the GP if you would prefer this person to help you with this during the appointment.
- You can ask for a chaperone. A chaperone is a trained adult who will support you and make sure you are comfortable during a physical examination. If you need help undressing or putting clothes back on, they can help with this if you ask them.
- If you experience barriers at routine appointments or in getting to your GP, you can request reasonable adjustments. They will help you to get the support you need.
- You can ask for a female GP, if you’d prefer.
- If you’ve been able to check to the best of your ability, but not fully. You can explain to the GP that you’re looking for reassurance.
By law, under the Equality Act (2010), health and social care services must take steps to reduce barriers for disabled people. You’ll hear this called ‘reasonable adjustments’. Reasonable adjustments aim to make sure services are accessible to everyone.
You can also search for accessible health services using services like AccessAble and Euan’s Guide.
At your GP appointment
At the start of your GP appointment, either for a chest check or to get a change in your chest checked out, remind the GP what physical support you do or do not need.
“It's often assumed that anyone can get onto the bed themselves, though lots of us, me included, need a hoist.”![]()
Your GP may ask you to get onto the bed. This is so that they can check your chest for you. You do not have to get on the bed if that is not easy for you. Instead, you could ask to:
- Stay seated in your mobility aid
- Stay seated in the GP chair
- Use a support to prop your arms up
- Ask for a hoist
- Explain what the easiest position is for you
If your GP felt the examination wasn’t possible or didn’t feel confident making a diagnosis because of the position, they may refer you early.
This is because the hospital may have more equipment, for example, hoists or reclining chairs. Using equipment may help them to do a more accurate examination.
If you can get onto the bed but need support transferring, you may prefer someone you trust to help you move. You can bring a friend or family member along to help with this.
Your GP may ask about your health and any conditions you have. Having a disability or health condition should not mean that changes to your chest should be ignored or assumed to be part of your condition. Your concerns should be listened to and taken seriously.
Your GP can look at your symptoms alongside your health history and give you advice on what to do next.
If you are still worried after your appointment, you can make another appointment to get a second opinion.
This information was created by CoppaFeel! and Muscular Dystrophy UK, with input from disability charities and their communities.
Special thanks to our Medical Advisory Group members Dr Beth Lynch and Sandra Smith for their clinical input, as well as:
- Sarah Wallace, Clinician Manager, WhizzKidz
- Judith Gage, Senior Mobility Specialist, Whizz Kidz
Our health information has the PIF TICK quality mark, so you can trust and rely on it.
We updated this information in September 2026. We will look at it again in April 2027.
Real stories
Check your chest
Get a reminder
e-learning
Resources
Breast cancer information