Spotting the symptoms, then getting a diagnosis, is crucial in fighting back against this disease
Early detection of breast cancer can save lives. ‘So it’s vital that women know they should keep checking their breasts, even if they’re attending regular mammograms,’ says Samia al Qadhi, former chief executive at Breast Cancer Care. ‘There’s no right or wrong way to check them – it’s about looking and feeling regularly, so any unusual changes are spotted quickly.’ Here’s what to look out for…
A change in breast size or shape
This may be difficult to spot if changes happen gradually over time. And it’s perfectly normal for your breasts to change throughout your lifetime, especially during and after the menopause, when oestrogen levels decrease. This can affect the size, shape and softness of your breasts.
To help you spot changes swiftly, try building a breast check into your regular routine. Doing it while you’re washing in the shower or bath is a great opportunity. Look at your breasts and feel them, as well as checking your chest area and underneath your arms.
A lump or area of thickened tissue
This is usually the first noticeable symptom of breast cancer, although it’s worth remembering that most lumps (around 90%) are not cancerous. They’re usually harmless cysts or due to other conditions, such as fibroadenoma. But it’s important to get them checked, because breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in the UK, affecting 55,000 people a year. One person is diagnosed every 10 minutes, and one in eight women will develop it. The good news is that breast-cancer survival is improving and has doubled in the past 40 years.
A change to your nipple
Report any change in position or shape, or if it appears sunken. If you see your GP with any of these symptoms, you’ll probably be referred to a breast clinic or hospital for tests, which may include X-rays, ultrasounds or biopsies (where cells are removed for testing). You may be asked to fill in a questionnaire about any family history of breast problems, whether you’ve had breast surgery (such as implants) or any medication such as the contraceptive pill or HRT, which may affect your risk. You could get the results later that day or up to a week later. Most results turn out not to be cancer, but it’s a good idea to take someone with you for support in case you need it.
A lump or swelling in your armpit
As well as lumps in the breast, another key sign is lumps or pain in the armpits –
