Get to know your breasts

By Betsy Marshall

Few women examine their breasts every month and many feel guilty about this. If you are among the guilt-stricken, you may feel more comfortable with a new approach which emphasises "breast awareness."

This approach differs from "breast self-examination," where women are supposed to lie down and examine their breasts in a set way once a month. Breast awareness means getting to know your own breasts - how they look and feel and how they change at different times of the month and with age.

You are far more likely to become aware of anything unusual if you carry out casual checks from time to time, perhaps in the shower or while dressing.

If you feel something in one breast which seems different from usual, check your other breast. If you can feel the same thing in both breasts it is probably normal. See your doctor if you are unsure. The most common sign of breast cancer is a new lump which is usually painless.

Remember to look for changes in the breast as well as doing a quick physical check.

Other signs of breast cancer are: a new thickening; a change in breast shape or size; puckering or dimpling of the skin; any change in one nipple like a turned-in nipple or a discharge which persists without squeezing; lumpiness in one breast soon after your period ends; and unusual pain. Though these signs may not be cancer, they should be checked by a doctor.

Your doctor will usually refer you to a specialist who has several ways of checking a breast lump or change.
You may have a mammogram (breast X-ray), but on its own this usually is not enough to show if it is cancer or not. A sample of the lump will be needed.

If you do have breast cancer, the earlier it is detected the better the chance of successful treatment and recovery.

Most women with breast cancer have surgery, but these days often only part of the breast will be removed.
Breast awareness is very important for women over the age of 40. That is because your chances of developing breast cancer increase as you get older.

Before menopause, most lumps are not cancer but after menopause one in two lumps are cancer. Have a check with your GP from time to time if you are over 40.

If you are 50 and over, you should also have screening mammograms every two years. These are now free for women aged 50 to 64 years as part of the new national breast screening programme.

Mammograms can pick up breast changes before you can feel or notice anything unusual. Take advantage of this free screening because it is the best way of reducing your chances of dying from breast cancer. Even if you are having mammograms, you need to keep checking your breasts.

Not all breast cancers show up on a mammogram, and some can develop between mammograms.

For information about breast screening, telephone 0800 270-200; breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, 524-2628, or 0800 800-426 if you are outside Auckland.

* Betsy Marshall is the health promotion policy adviser of the Cancer Society of New Zealand and the national spokesperson on breast cancer.