Breast cancer prevention: how to check your breasts

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the UK, with around 150 people diagnosed every day. One in seven women will develop breast cancer, with most cases diagnosed in women aged over 50. Survival rates for breast cancer are good and improving all the time with new treatments. As with many types of cancer, early diagnosis means a better chance of successful treatment. 

Breast screening is important for women who are over 50, have a family history of breast cancer, and women who have an increased risk because of a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation. You should examine your breasts once a month to check for any changes.

Changes to look for when checking your breasts

Finding a lump is the most common early symptom of breast cancer. However, it doesn’t always mean you have cancer and there are a number of other signs to look out for, including:

• Changes in the size or shape of one breast, becoming either bigger or smaller than usual
• Dimpling on the skin of your breast that looks like an orange peel
• Lumps in your armpit or around the collarbone
• One or both nipples turning inwards, becoming sore and crusty, or discharging liquid when you’re not breastfeeding
• Skin on the breast appearing red or bruised for no reason and not fading

Natural changes in your breasts

Everyone’s breasts look and feel different; some breasts are naturally quite lumpy. Your breasts will also change over time, with hormones changing how they look and feel over the course of your menstrual cycle. They may feel tender and lumpier just before your period starts. Breastfeeding and menopause will cause changes in your breasts too, with most women finding their breasts become softer and less lumpy after menopause. 

Breast cancer in men

Men can develop breast cancer too, though it is much less common. Around one in 100 cases of breast cancer in the UK affect men. Most cases happen in men aged over 60. Signs of breast cancer are very similar in both men and women. Men should check for: 

• Any hard, painless lumps in their chest
• Bumps in the glands of their armpits 
• Discharge from the nipple
• Nipple turning in
• Rash around the nipple that doesn’t fade

Get to know your breasts

An important part of checking your breasts is finding out what’s normal for you. How do they look and feel at different times of the month? To get to know your breasts, consider keeping a journal describing how they look and feel throughout the month. Make sure you do your breast exams at the same time each month; they’ll be less lumpy and tender if you check them a few days after your period.

Look in the mirror

Take a good look at your breasts in the mirror. Stand up straight with your shoulders squared and your hands on your hips. Note the size and shape of your breasts as well as the colour and texture of the skin. Look at your nipples and notice if one appears flatter than the other, turns inwards or points in a different direction. Turn from side to side so you can get a good view of both breasts.

Next, raise your arms above your head and look for the same signs. Notice if the shape of one breast looks different or unusual and check there is no discharge from your nipples. The only time your nipples should leak fluid is if you’re breastfeeding.

To check for any puckering or bulges in the skin, lean forward as this will make any changes more obvious.

Feel for changes

Lie on your back, rest your left arm above your head and use your right hand to check your left breast. Keep your fingers flat and use the pads of your first three fingers with a firm and smooth touch. Work methodically to cover your whole breast, using a small circular motion to feel the tissue in the breast. Working from top to bottom and from one side to the other works well for many women to make sure you cover the whole area. Make sure you go all the way up to your collarbone, down to the top of your abdomen and from your armpit to the centre of your chest. 

Adjust the pressure of your fingers depending on which part of your breast you’re examining. Use light pressure on the skin and tissue just underneath your breasts, medium pressure on the area in the middle of your breasts and a firmer pressure to feel the deep tissue at the back of your breasts. 

Repeat the whole process on your right breast using your left hand. Then do the same while standing or sitting up. You may find this part easier to do in the shower when your skin is wet and slippery.

When to see your doctor

If you feel a lump when performing a breast exam, there’s no need to panic. Most lumps are not caused by cancer. If there are any other symptoms, if the lump has been there for longer than a month, or if it has grown or changed, then get it checked by your GP. They’ll examine your breasts and may refer you for a mammogram or a breast ultrasound scan.