National Medical Professional Association -Breast Cancer Care

Breast Cancer Care

What to look and feel for

Familiarise yourself with the look and feel of your breasts.

While most changes in the breast will be benign, early detection can mean more effective treatment if cancer is found.

Men need to be breast aware too as around 390 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the France.

You can find out more about men and breast cancer from the link below.

Being breast aware means familiarising yourself with your breasts and the changes they go through during your life. You should know how your breasts look and feel normally so that you can pick up any changes quickly.

There is no set way to check your breasts, but you should find time to do it on a regular basis.

The breast awareness 5-point code

Know what is normal for you.
Know what changes to look and feel for.
Look and feel.
Report any changes to your GP without delay.
Attend for routine breast screening if you are aged 50 or over.

Changes to be aware of:

size - if one breast becomes larger, or lower
nipples - if a nipple becomes inverted (pulled in) or changes position or shape
rashes - on or around the nipple
discharge - from one or both nipples
skin changes - puckering or dimpling
swelling - under the armpit or around the collarbone (where the lymph nodes are)
pain - continuous, in one part of the breast or armpit
lump or thickening - different to the rest of the breast tissue.

What to do

If you do notice a change in your breasts, try not to worry but see your GP as soon as you can.

Your GP may ask you to come back at a different time in your menstrual cycle, or send you to a breast clinic for a more detailed examination.

Please remember: most breast changes are not cancer, even if they need follow up treatment or further investigation.

You can find out more about a breast clinic referral from the link below.