When did you do your last breast self-exam?

I’ve been pushing the mammograms hard since I was diagnosed with breast cancer, but it just dawned on me that I have not been stressing the importance of monthly self-exams. I’ll be honest, I didn’t really do them when I was getting a mammo or MRI every six months and getting exams from my OB/GYN and breast surgeon in between. (As it turns out my cancer was so small that a mammo wouldn’t have even spotted it—but fortunately an MRI did—so there’s little to no chance that I would have felt it myself.)

BUT, one study found that 25% of breast cancer survivors found their cancer during a self-exam and 18% of women report that they or their partner found theirs by accident. This adds up to a lot of ladies and a lot of lives saved—so isn’t it worth taking a few extra minutes out of your day once a month? You can add it to your calendar if you’re forgetful, or you can commit to feeling yourself up on the first.

Colleen Rothschild found a lump while performing a self-exam (which fortunately turned out to be benign), but now she’s on a mission to help women get to know their “girls” better. With nourishing murumuru, shea and bacari butters and five exotic oils, her “Breast” Friend Self-Exam Butter helps fingers glide across the skin—and the jar has a cute illustration (drawn by Colleen) that shows you exactly what to do. (FYI, you can use it on any part of your body that needs extra hydration.)

For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Colleen Rothschild is donating 100% of the proceeds to The Pink Fund—and from 10/28 to 10/31 you get two for the price of one so you can give a jar to your “breastie.” Even though I may never have to perform a self-exam again, YOU (most likely) do. Aren’t your family, friends and your life worth a few minutes each month?