October is Breast Awareness month and as always attention is being drawn by professionals to the need for women to be breast-aware and know the symptoms that might signify breast cancer.
A poll of 1,000 women conducted by Breakthrough Breast Cancer found that fifty per cent were afraid of breast cancer but twenty per cent could not name any signs or symptoms that might indicate that they had the disease. Fifty-six per cent of the women surveyed do not check their breasts regularly: most simply forgot, some had never thought to do so, and some said they didn’t know what they were supposed to look for.
There is no right or wrong way to check your breasts: just make sure you feel them regularly (including under the armpits) so that you know what is normal for you. Breast tissue is naturally lumpy and bumpy and so you need to familiarise yourself with what is normal for you so that you would spot anything new.
As well as feeling for new lumps or bumps, you should also check for any change in size or shape of your breasts, and for any inversion (turning-in) of the nipple.
An ambassador for Breakthrough Breast Cancer and former sufferer Bernie Nolan, said, “People assume finding a lump is the only way to spot breast cancer, but there are other vital signs women should be aware of. I noticed my breasts had changed shape and immediately went to see my doctor. I cannot stress enough how important it is to get to know your breasts so you can easily notice any unusual changes. I really want all women to learn about Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s Touch Look Check message so they can be breast aware.”
Here are the signs you should look out for and that you should see your doctor about if you notice them:
any change in the size or shape of a breast;
dimpling of the skin on your breast;
a change in the shape of your nipple or if it turns inward when it doesn’t normally;
a lump;
discharge from the nipple, especially if it has blood in it;
a lump or swelling in your armpit;
a rash on the nipple or aereola.
These signs could indicate something harmless but need to be checked out because they can indicate cancer and the earlier you are seen the better your chances of full recovery.
There is another type of breast cancer that is relatively uncommon: inflammatory breast cancer has different symptoms – the whole breast can look swollen and red and be sore and/or hard. The skin can resemble orange peel. Another uncommon type is called Paget’s disease, the symptom of which is mainly a red, scaly rash that can be itchy – it can be confused for eczema.
Look out for all of these symptoms and examine yourself at least once a month. Choose the same time of your monthly cycle so that hormonal changes that may make your breasts change don’t make it harder for you to know what is normal.
Recent Comments