Throughout your life, your breasts will change in size and how they feel. This is as a result of menstrual cycles, pregnancy and weight gain or loss. You should be away of how your breasts feel - all women should. Generally changes in breasts are normal, but occasionally changes can be found which can be early signs of breast cancer.
Most changes or lumps are not caused by cancer, but as breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Australia, it is important to know what changes in your breasts mean. Always see a doctor if you have any changes in your breasts. Early detection of breast cancer is the key to successful treatment and survival. It is important to visit your doctor to have a routine breast check, but it worthwhile to do regular checks on your breasts yourself.
Here's how to check your breasts:
- From the collarbone at the top to the bra-line at the bottom, fell each breast. Always feel from midway between your breasts to an imaginary line down from the middle of your armpit.
- When touching your breasts always use the flat part of your fingers including the sensitive finger pads, and move in small circle motions at every spot that you touch.
- You should move down and up from your armpit in vertical strips across your whole breast. Alternate the pressure between light and firm.
- Light pressure will allow you to feel just below the surface - do this motion first. At the same spot make a second circle pressing quite firmly so that you can feel any deep lumps in your breast. Press as firmly as you can without discomfort.
When feeling and looking at your breast, you need to pay attention to the following:
- A breast lump
- Skin rash or itching
- Discharge or leaking from the nipple
- Changes in skin colour
- Puckering, rough or dimpling of the skin
- Pulling in of the nipple
- Pain anywhere in the breast
- Any change from the usual look of your breasts
- Swelling or discomfort in the armpit
One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their life, but they're not the only ones affected by breast cancer. This year 95 Australian men will also be diagnosed with breast cancer. So girls (and guys), as October is Breast Cancer Month, it's the perfect time for you to go and get your breasts checked out.
So many of us know someone who has been affected in some way by breast cancer - it may a mother, a sister, a partner, a friend, a cousin, an aunty or a daughter. This October, there are ample of opportunities for you to help support and raise awareness for this killer disease. Here are just some of the ways that you can support breast cancer research:
- Dove Pink Star Walk – grab the girls and guys together to take part in this 5km walk and don’t forget to wear your pink. There are heaps of prizes for the best costumes and also goodies bag for all participants at the end.
- Pink Ribbon Day – don’t forget to grab your pink ribbon, pin or wrist band and wear them on October 22nd.
- Pink Ribbon Magazine – the Australian Women’s Weekly puts together a 100 page magazine celebrating women and is on sale from September 26th until the end of October.
- Pink Ribbon Breakfast – get the group together for an early morning get-to-together. You can hold the breakfast anytime during October.
- Porches in Pink – grab yourself some bright pink OSRAM light blobs for $2 and decorate your house or unit in pink.
- Pink Products – purchase food products with a pink ribbon on the pack and some of the money from each purchase will go to the breast cancer research. Some tasty breast cancer products include Sanitarium Light ‘n Tasty, V8 body balance juice, Mount Franklin water, Pink Wish Tim Tams.
Visit the National Breast Cancer Foundation website at www.nbcf.org.au, for more news on all the events in your state.
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