Feeling myself
Written by Freya Cumberlidge, March 2019
Having recently found a lump on my own boob I have been transformed into a breast health advocate, telling any and every one I meet with breast tissue about the importance of regular checks and knowing what’s normal for you. After making sure my lump wasn’t just hormonal - lumps and bumps can come and go over the course of a period cycle - I went to the doctor to find out that a) what I have has a cute name (breast mouse) and b) that it is benign. All in all, a successful visit, if only for my piece of mind.
Talking about the experience with friends afterwards made me realise however, that not everyone is checking their breasts or they just kept forgetting, we’re busy people! As a result, I’m using this opportunity to remind you to check them regularly and at different times during the month, because they can and do change. An anomaly you spotted three days ago might be gone within the course of the week.
When checking you should be feeling under your armpit, up to your collarbone and around the whole breast. Check with your arm both raised and at your side to get a full sense of their profile, getting to know every inch. Giving them a quick squeeze is one thing, but really taking the time to understand them in their entirety is both a pleasure and a necessity.
It’s not however, just lumps that you should be on the lookout for. In the UK, the NHS lists a number of signs to look out for (NHS, 2018):
• a change in the size, shape and outline of your breast
• a change to the feel or look of your skin (in particular puckering and dimpling)
• a new lump, thickening or bumpy area in one breast or armpit that is different from the same area on the other side
• unusual (bloody or non-milky) nipple discharge
• a rash on or around the nipple
• and finally, a change in the way your nipple points or lies on your breast.
Whilst regular checks are of course a first step in breast health awareness, they are no substitute for professional medical care. If you notice something unusual, the best piece of advice will always be to go to a doctor you trust and ask them to check. Much like regular trips to the gynecologist (yet another thing I find myself thinking about but failing to take action on), breast exams should feature as part of your medical regime. Nine out of ten breast lumps are found not to be cancerous and, in extreme cases where a lump is found to be malignant, survival rates have been rising consistently across the decade. In fact, 80% of those receiving a breast cancer diagnosis go on to live a minimum of ten years after initial discovery.
We all know about the importance of checking. Often it’s just a case of getting round to doing it so please, take some time tonight for yourself, have a feel and find out what your boobs are like.
