How To Check Your Breasts
- Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips. - Check size, shape, and colour.
- Raise your arms and look for the same changes.
- While you're at the mirror, check for signs of fluid from the nipples.
- Feel your breasts while lying down, use a firm, smooth touch with the first few finger pads of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together.
- Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Some women find this easier to do when it is wet or slippery, like in the shower or bath.
Things To Look Out For
- A change in the size, outline or shape of your breast
- A change in the look or feel of the skin on your breast, such as puckering or dimpling, a rash or redness
- A new lump, swelling, thickening or bumpy area in one breast or armpit that was not there before
- A discharge of fluid from either of your nipples
- Any change in nipple position, such as your nipple being pulled in or pointing differently
- A rash (like eczema), crusting, scaly or itchy skin or redness on or around your nipple
- Any discomfort or pain in one breast, particularly if it's a new pain and does not go away (although pain is only a symptom of breast cancer in rare cases).
If you are concerned, don't hesitate to see a GP if you notice any changes. But these changes do not always mean cancer, they can be normal hormonal changes, a benign breast condition, or an injury.
Breast Cancer Facts
The breast cancer mortality (death rates) are about 40% higher among black women compared to white women.
Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with a more advanced-stage breast cancer compared to white women.
The tumors of black patients are more likely to be larger and to have spread to the axillary (underarm) lymph nodes (glands) at the time of diagnosis.
The risk for developing a breast cancer increases in all women as we get older, but black women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer at younger ages compared to white women.
In women younger than 40-45 years old, the population-based incidence rates of breast cancer are higher for black women compared to white women.
About 30% of all newly diagnosed black breast cancer patients are younger than 50 years old, compared to only 20% of white patients.
Nubian Skin was the first company in the UK to launch a range of Darker Skin Tone Breast Softies for Women of Color.
Help Lines
breastcancergenetics.co.uk - 01629 813000
ibcnetworkuk.org
coppafeel.org
www.cancerresearchuk.org - 0808 800 4040
breastcancernow.org - 0808 800 6000
macmillan.org.uk - 0808 808 0000
mariecurie.org.uk - 0800 090 2309
samaritans.org - 116 123