At 2Me Clinic, we remind our patients monthly to check their breasts.
Not because we want women to worry about breast cancer, but because knowing what is normal for your own breasts makes it easier to notice when something changes.
There is no complicated technique to learn, and you do not need to examine yourself perfectly. The important thing is simply to become familiar with your breasts.
Why check your breasts every month?
Breasts naturally change throughout life, and, if you have periods, they can also feel different at different stages of your menstrual cycle.
Checking regularly helps you learn what is normal for you.
Once a month is a useful reminder. It is frequent enough for you to become familiar with your breasts without feeling that you need to check them constantly.
If you still have periods, you may find your breasts are less tender and easier to assess in the days after your period. But there is no single “correct” day.
If you no longer have periods, for example, after the menopause, simply choose an easy date to remember each month.
The aim is not to search for cancer. It is to know your normal.
Why start when you are young?
Breast cancer is much more common as we get older, but breast awareness is a healthy habit to develop from a young age.
You do not need to wait until you are 40, 50 or until you receive your first mammogram invitation to start paying attention to your breasts.
Breast changes can occur at any age. Most changes in younger women will not be cancer. Cysts, hormonal changes, fibroadenomas, infections and other benign conditions are much more common.
But getting used to looking at and feeling your breasts when you are young means that you learn what is normal for your body.
Think of it as another form of body awareness, just like knowing your periods, your skin or your general health.
What should you actually do?
There is no perfect breast-checking technique.
Look at your breasts in the mirror occasionally and feel them regularly, perhaps in the shower, when getting dressed or lying in bed.
Remember that breast tissue extends beyond the obvious breast itself. Feel the whole breast area, including up towards your collarbone and into your armpits.
You are looking and feeling for anything that is new or unusual for you.
This can include:
- A new lump, swelling or thickened area in the breast, chest or armpit
- A change in the size or shape of one breast
- A nipple that has recently changed position or become pulled inwards
- New nipple discharge, particularly if it is bloody
- A rash, crusting or persistent change around the nipple
- Dimpling or puckering of the skin
- Redness or a change in the appearance or texture of the skin
- Persistent pain in one breast or one particular area
- Any other change that simply feels different from what is normal for you
Breasts are naturally uneven and often feel lumpy. You are not trying to decide whether every lump is normal or abnormal yourself.
You are looking for a change.
I have found something. What should I do?
First, don’t panic.
Most breast changes are not breast cancer.
But a new or persistent change should be assessed rather than ignored.
Contact your GP or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional. They can examine you and decide whether you need further investigation, such as breast imaging or referral to a specialist breast clinic.
Don’t wait for your next routine mammogram if you have noticed a new symptom.
And don’t avoid making an appointment because you are worried about “wasting the doctor’s time”. Breast changes are an entirely appropriate reason to seek medical advice.
What about mammograms?
Breast awareness and breast screening are two different things.
In the UK, women within the eligible age range are invited for NHS breast screening at regular intervals.
Checking your breasts does not replace mammography when you are invited for screening and having regular mammograms does not mean you should ignore a change you notice between screenings.
Both matter.
Talk about breasts with your friends
There is another part of breast awareness that we don’t talk about enough: reminding each other.
Breast checking doesn’t need to be frightening or solemn.
Send your sister a message.
Remind your mum.
Mention it to your daughter.
Tell your best friend.
If you have a group chat with the women you love, why not occasionally write:
“Monthly reminder: have you checked your breasts?”
It may feel slightly awkward the first time. After that, it becomes normal.
And that is exactly what we want.
And don’t forget the men in your life
Male can develop breast cancer too, although it is much less common.
So if your partner, father, brother or male friend notices a new lump, nipple change or another unexplained change in the breast or chest area, encourage him to get it checked rather than ignoring it.
Make it a monthly habit
Choose something that happens every month, the first day of the month, the date of your birthday, or even our 2Me Clinic monthly breast reminder and use it as your prompt.
It takes only a few minutes.
Look. Feel. Know what is normal for you. And if something changes, get it checked.
Then send that little reminder to somebody you love.
Check out Coppafeel.org and learn some quick and easy steps on how to do a breast examination, what to feel and look for and when to speak to a doctor.
