10/18/2019
. It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so I wanted to take a break from our usual programming for a quick reminder about how to stay healthy and spot changes in your body as soon as possible. Lay down your brushes – and grab your b***s! Here’s some words from the NHS on how to conduct an at home check up and what to look out for:
✨There's no right or wrong way to check your breasts. But it is important to know how your breasts usually look and feel. That way, you can spot any changes quickly and report them to your GP.
Be breast aware
Every woman's breasts are different in terms of size, shape and consistency. It's also possible for one breast to be larger than the other.
Get used to how your breasts feel at different times of the month. This can change during your menstrual cycle. For example, some women have tender and lumpy breasts, especially near the armpit, around the time of their period.
After the menopause, normal breasts feel softer, less firm and not as lumpy.
The NHS Breast Screening Programme has produced a 5-point plan for being breast aware:
• know what's normal for you
• look at your breasts and feel them
• know what changes to look for
• report any changes without delay
• attend routine screening if you're 50 or over
•
Look at your breasts and feel each breast and armpit, and up to your collarbone. You may find it easiest to do this in the shower or bath, by running a soapy hand over each breast and up under each armpit.
You can also look at your breasts in the mirror. Look with your arms by your side and also with them raised.
Breast changes to look out for
See your GP if you notice any of the following changes:
• a change in the size, outline or shape of your breast
• a change in the look or feel of your skin, such as puckering or dimpling
• a new lump, thickening or bumpy area in one breast or armpit that is different from the same area on the other side
• ni**le discharge that's not milky
• bleeding from your ni**le
• a moist, red area on your ni**le that doesn't heal easily
• any change in ni**le position, such as your ni**le being pulled in or pointing differently
• a rash on or around your ni**le
• any discomfort or pain in one breast, particularly if it's a new pain and doesn't go away (although pain is only a symptom of breast cancer in rare cases)✨
Breast Cancer Awareness Breast Cancer Now - wear it pink