A pink October for Breast Cancer Awareness: A guide to checking yourself.
This October is Breast cancer awareness month, and it is more important than ever to check yourself regularly for signs of cancer.
Research commissioned by Estee Lauder to mark the 30th anniversary of Estee Lauder Companies Breast Cancer Campaign revealed shocking statistics. A study of two thousand UK women showed that 80 per cent did not regularly self-check for breast cancer symptoms, and a third said they have never checked themselves at all.
GP and Estee Lauder Companies Breast Cancer Campaign, Dr Zoe Williams, is raising awareness of the importance of self-checking for signs of cancer and keeping the conversation open, she says:
“Breast cancer can affect women and men, and there are many different symptoms to look out for, not just lumps.
“We must talk to each other- even if it’s not face to face, we need to spread the word and encourage our friends and loved ones to check their breasts regularly.”
With early detection, screening, and better treatments, modern medicine is constantly improving, and survival rates are improving yearly.
Most of us know we should be checking ourselves, but most don’t know how often or what to do if we find something. Being knowledgeable can help give us the confidence to check ourselves regularly.
How often should you check your breasts?
Everyone should examine themselves regularly. It is recommended that we check for abnormalities at least once a month. Life can be hectic, and it’s easy to slip your mind. Many charities, such as CoppaFeel, offer a free text reminder monthly. We should all know how our breasts usually feel throughout the month – as they can change slightly for women during their menstrual cycle and with hormonal changes.
Where should I check?
Look at your boobs. Check that they are the same standard shape, texture, and colour– many people find it easier to do this in front of a mirror for the first few times.
With the pads of your three middle fingers, feel the entire breast and armpit by pressing down with medium pressure.
Then check above the breast up to the collar bone.
Do this for both breasts taking notice of any lumps, thickening, or hardening knots.
Finally, check your nipples, and be aware of any changes in the position or shape of your nipple. Take notice of any nipple discharge, bleeding, rash or crusting around or on the nipple that doesn’t quickly heal.
What should I do if I find something?
If you have a concern, try not to panic, as there are plenty of reasons why you may have found something unusual or noticed a change in your breasts. Lots of changes are natural. It is still important to contact a doctor who will know more about whether your change needs further investigation or not.
How do I book an appointment?
If you decide to book an appointment, you can call up your GP. Any breast changes are considered an emergency, so mention this to the receptionist.
If you feel more comfortable with a specific gender doctor, you can ask for this when booking the appointment.
You can also bring someone with you to feel more comfortable or request a chaperone from your GP surgery – they are there to support you during the appointment. You can also request a particular gender chaperone if you’d like to.
How to prepare for an appointment?
It is normal to feel nervous before an appointment. Here are a few things you could do to feel more prepared:
You can write down any concerns or questions to ensure you don’t forget to ask or discuss anything with the doctor.
It can be helpful to figure out and take note of when your last period started, as hormonal changes can affect our boobs, so they will often ask.
During your appointment
Talking to your doctor about your boobs can be embarrassing, so you are not alone! Try and remember that your doctor has seen it all before. It is their job to fully understand your concerns and symptoms and provide you with any care you may need. The more they know about the situation, the better equipped they can be to help you.
Things to know:
The doctor will ask questions about your worries and how long you’ve had them.
They may need to examine you to check your area of concern. If they do, they will ask you to remove your top, so it’s best to wear separate tops and bottoms.
If the doctor is concerned, you will be referred for further investigations. You may be referred to the breast clinic – this does not mean you have breast cancer. It just means the doctor has sent you to be checked out by a breast specialist.
It can be nerve-wracking, and it is entirely normal to be anxious, but try and remember that most changes to your boobs won’t be cancer; however, early detection is vital! Early treatments are much more successful in cases when breast cancer is found, and survival rates are higher.
Checking your boobs regularly and getting help about unusual changes is always the right thing to do!