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The Importance of Self-Checking
Remember To Self-Check Regularly
There’s no special way to check your breasts and you do not need any training. Getting to know how your breasts look and feel will help you know what is normal for you. You will then be more confident about noticing any new or unusual changes and reporting them to your GP. While most breast cancers occur in women over the age of 50, it can affect people of any age, including men, so it’s important that everybody is breast aware and gets into the habit of regularly checking.
How Should I Check My Breasts For Signs of Breast Cancer?
The information provided below is from Breast Cancer Now, The Research & Support Charity.
No matter what size or shape your breasts are, check them regularly. Check all parts of your breasts, your armpits and up to your collarbone (upper chest) for changes. Some of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer include:
- A lump or swelling in the breast, upper chest or armpit
- A change to the skin, such as puckering or dimpling
- A change in the colour of the breast – the breast may look inflamed
- A nipple change, for example it has become pulled in (inverted)
- Rash or crusting around the nipple
- Unusual liquid (discharge) from either nipple
- Changes in size or shape of the breast
- On its own pain in your breasts is not usually a sign of cancer. But look out for pain in your breast or armpit that’s there all or almost all the time.
What Should I Do If I Notice a Change?
If you notice a change in your breasts, contact your GP. Most breast changes are normal or due to a benign (not cancer) breast condition, but it’s important to find out what’s causing the change by contacting your GP as soon as you can.
@drzoewilliams
Dr Zoe Williams (@drzoewilliams), GP and UK&I Ambassador for The Estée Lauder Companies Breast Cancer Campaign, comments:
“We need to feel free to talk about breast health; it should be part of your routine, just like brushing your teeth. There’s no shame in breast checking, they are part of our bodies and everyone - regardless of age, shape or size - should feel empowered to check. The sooner breast cancer is found, the more successful treatment is likely to be. It’s time for everyone to unite, because together we can move forward in our mission to reduce the number of breast cancer cases.”
For further information about the charity or The Campaign, please visit breastcancernow.org or https://www.elcompanies.co.uk/en-gb/our-impact/social/the-breast-cancer-campaign
Watch Dr. Zoe Williams' step-by-step tutorial on how to check your breasts from our 2020 Time to Unite live virtual self-check event below.