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Breast awareness

Published by Bupa's health information team, July 2009.

This factsheet is for women who would like information about being breast aware.

Breast awareness means knowing how your breasts look and feel, and knowing what changes to look out for.

About breast awareness
How to be breast aware
Five-point breast awareness code
Common breast changes
Breast changes to seek advice about
Questions and answers
Related topics
Further information
Sources

About breast awareness

Being breast aware means being familiar with how your breasts look and feel, and knowing how they change at different times of the month. Knowing what is normal for you will help you spot any changes if they happen.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in the UK. It affects one in nine women at some time in their life. Being breast aware can help you find breast cancer early. This means that treatment can start earlier, which can increase your chance of survival.

Most breast lumps aren't breast cancer - nine in 10 breast lumps are benign (not cancerous). But if you do have breast cancer, treatment is usually simpler and more successful if it's found early. Being breast aware can help you to you spot any unusual changes in your breasts as early as possible.

How to be breast aware

Breast awareness means getting into the habit of feeling and looking at your breasts from time-to-time so you know what's normal for you.

There isn't a formal set of instructions for checking your breasts. Check yourself in any way that's comfortable and convenient for you. For example:

you may find it convenient to look at your breasts when you're getting ready for a bath or shower, using a mirror to view your breasts from different angles
you may find it helps if you have soapy hands when you feel your breasts, and want to check your breasts in the bath or shower
you may find it more comfortable to check your breasts when you're lying down

Once you're familiar with the usual feel and appearance of your breasts, you will notice if anything changes.

If you feel uncomfortable or anxious about checking your breasts, you may find it helpful to discuss your worries with your GP or a nurse.

Five-point breast awareness code

Follow the five-point breast awareness code.

Know what's normal for you.
Check both the look and feel of your breasts.
Know what changes to look and feel for.
Report any changes to your GP straight away.
Attend routine breast screening if you're 50 or over.

Common breast changes

It's important to remember that each woman's breasts are different and that changes in how they look and feel aren't always a cause for concern. Your breasts may be affected by the menstrual cycle, your age, pregnancy, the menopause and taking the contraceptive pill.

For example, if you haven't been through the menopause it's normal to have lumpy, tender breasts just before your period, especially near your armpits. This happens when the milk-producing tissue in your breasts becomes active. Your breasts may feel soft after your period.

After the menopause, your breasts should feel softer and less lumpy as activity in the milk-producing tissue of your breasts stops.

If you have had a hysterectomy, your breasts may still feel tender or lumpy each month, even though your periods have stopped. This is because your ovaries are still working and producing hormones. You may notice monthly changes in your breasts until the time when your periods would have stopped naturally (the menopause).

Breast changes to seek advice about

You should see your GP if you notice any changes that aren't normal for you. Look out for:

a change in the size or shape of your breasts (after you have been through puberty), for example one breast becoming larger or lower
skin changes such as puckering or dimpling (eg your skin feels like the texture of orange peel)
a rash or crusting on your nipple or the surrounding area
nipple changes, such as a change in the position of your nipple, or a newly inverted (turned-in) nipple
discharge from one or both nipples (unless you're breastfeeding and it's milky discharge)
a change in feeling, especially if it's only in one breast
pain in part of your breast or armpit
swelling, thickening or a lump in your breast or armpit