• Publish Date: Posted about 2 months ago

The importance of talking about checking your breasts

​Nearly 50% of women in the UK fail to check their breasts on a regular basis. Checking your breasts regularly can help you spot signs of breast cancer. The earlier you spot your symptoms, the quicker your cancer can be diagnosed and therefore you will have a bigger chance of receiving successful treatment. It’s critical that women, and men, get into the habit of regular breast-checking each month of the year.  How to check for lumps in your breasts?​There’s no specific technique that needs to be followed when it comes to checking your breasts for lumps. With this in mind, it is important to get to know your breasts and what feels and looks normal for you.Start by touching your breasts and feeling if there is anything unusual about the way they feel. Next, you should look at physical changes to spot any differences in the way they look. Even if you spot a minor change in your breasts, you should reach out to your GP for further advice and testing. The earlier your breast cancer is diagnosed the more likely you are of receiving successful treatment. Your breast checks should be carried out on a regular basis, perhaps once a month will be frequent enough. Can men get breast cancer?​Whilst it is rare for men to get breast cancer, it can still happen. This is why men should also be checking for lumps.  It can be useful for men to lie down when checking their breast area. Men could check by using their middle fingers to press down using small motions to check on the breast area. They should also feel around the armpit area for anything unusual. The nipple should be squeezed to test for any discharge which could be a symptom of breast cancer.  After feeling the breast area for anything that could feel unusual, it is also important to look for physical changes as well. Any changes in skin texture or colour may indicate that there is potential cancer there. Take note of the shape and outline of the nipple for future examinations to compare it to.  How can you lower your risk of getting breast cancer?​Some general health advice to prevent yourself from developing breast cancer is to keep a well-balanced diet and healthy lifestyle that involves regular exercise. You should also limit your alcohol intake.  As discussed earlier, early detection of breast cancer is the best way to improve your likelihood of recovery. ​Take control of your breast health today! Don't be part of the 50% who neglect regular breast checks. Reach out to us for support or for more information about breast cancer awareness month visit: https://breastcancernow.org/get-involved/breast-cancer-awareness-month. Together, we can make a difference.