Cancer is a thing we all fear and most of us know someone, either closely or distantly who has had or been effected by cancer.
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK and thousands of women are diagnosed with it every year. 8 out of 10 women who are diagnosed with breast cancer are over 50, but that doesn't mean it doesn't effect young women, and on rare occasions men.
1 in 8 women will experience breast cancer in their lifetime. 400 men are diagnosed every year. The earlier breast cancer is found the more likely it is to be treated successfully and you can go on to live a long and happy life. It takes 5 minutes to check your breasts so just take 5 minutes and do it.
What should you look for when checking your breasts?
Changes in skin texture
Lumps of thickening tissue
Nipple discharge
Inverted nipples or change in direction
Swelling in the armpit or collarbone region
Constant pain in breast or armpit
Change in shape or size
Rash or crusting of the nipple or surrounding area
Obviously everyone is different and everyone's boobs feel different particularly at different parts of your cycle. Get to know your boobs and check them every week for a month so you know what they feel like at each stage of your cycle then make sure to check them about every two weeks to every month.
What to do if you feel or see something different?
Go straight to your GP. Even if you think it's nothing, which it may well be, it's best to get it checked and be sure. There are other reasons that your boobs might feel lumpy, sore or look different but it's important to make sure that it's not cancer.
It's normal to feel scared and anxious about going to the doctors about something like this but it's important to take in what they say either way. Try and remember that even if they do suspect it could be breast cancer and send you for a referral, if you're checking your breasts regularly and you haven't notice the change before, you've probably caught it early and that's positive.
For more information about what to expect from a GP appointment about a change in your breasts check out this handy leaflet from the CoppaFeel people.
It's important to be clear so check out the CoppaFeel website and the NHS website for more information and remember to check regularly.
Until next time,
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