Breast Cancer - How to check your breasts

Be Breast Aware

To be breast aware means becoming familiar with how your breasts look and feel. You should understand how your breasts may change at different times during the month and also as you get older. The important thing is to recognise which changes are usual and which are not. Make sure you know what is normal for you.

For some women, breasts become enlarged, tender and lumpy just before a period, and then return to normal once the period is over, others may have swollen breasts throughout their cycle. Age, pregnancy, Hormone Replacement Therapy and the menopause can all affect the size and feel of your breasts.

What you should do

You can help yourself by checking your breasts at least once a month. Why not try doing it in the shower, using your hands to wash yourself rather than a sponge or flannel? Just a few minutes every now and then could help save your life. Look for these changes, and remember, if you are in any doubt visit your doctor.

Look!

Look at yourself in the mirror; look for changes that are unusual. For example:

• Any change in the shape or size of the breast or nipple

• Any change in the position or colouring of the nipple, including inversion
• Any dimpling, denting, scaling or discolouration of the skin

Feel!

Feel your breasts; feel for anything that is not normally there. For example:

• A lump or swelling in your breast, that feels different from the rest of your breast tissue

• A lump or swelling in the armpit, arm or around your collarbone

Be Breast Aware!

Recognise any other changes. For example:

• Discharge from one or both nipples

• A pain in the breast, armpit or arm that is new for you

Report any changes that you find to your doctor without delay, and if you are aged 50 or over, attend routine breast screening.