Boobs. Breasts. Ta-ta’s. Mammaries. You name it, you can think of hundreds of different names for the breasts on your chest and as a woman, there are a lot of conversations to be had about those breasts. If you are a mother, you’ll talk about breastfeeding. When you’re a teenager, you talk about budding and breast changes. As you get older, the conversation turns to cancer and performing regular checks to make sure that you know your breasts inside and out. Bottom line: you’ve got to check your mamma’s!

 

Checking your breasts for cancer has always been something important to do. However, there are women all over the world who are not turning up to their breast screening appointments. Right now, this is because of the pandemic, but so many women are nervous about the results that they just don’t go. It’s concerning because the right breast cancer treatment center is here to help anyone who needs some advice about their breasts. Raising awareness about breast cancer is one thing, but knowing the signs and symptoms is quite another. It’s also important to know how to look for the signs of breast cancer – especially if you’re a mother. Mothers who are breastfeeding often miss the signs of cancer and dismiss lumps as blocked ducts. The thing is, you need to get ANY and ALL changes and lumps checked – even if you think it’s just milk backed up. With October being Breast Cancer Awareness month, it’s time to know how to check for signs of breast cancer. Here’s how to do it:

check your mamma's

Signs to Look For:

  • You need to look out for visible changes of the shape and size of your breasts
  • The skin can change as a result of cancer, so any rashes, dimpling and puckering of the skin needs to be explored.
  • Feel from the collarbone down for any lumps or bumps under the skin.
  • If there is any bloody discharge from the nipple, breastfeeding or not, you need to be seen.

When to Check For Changes:

  • If you are on your period, you should check your breasts after your period every month. You need to know what any changes means for you and how they feel pre and post-period.
  • Menopausal women and women approaching menopause should also check their breasts every month.

How To Do It:

  • Sit down in front of a mirror and look at the size and shape of your breasts.
  • Look at both sides to check if there is any puckering or skin changes
  • Check the nipples for any rashes or pulling in
  • Look for skin changes around the nipple
  • Use your fingers on the opposite hand to walk your middle three fingers around the breast. You’re looking for lumps or bumps that are not usually there.
  • Check each quarter of the breasts and do both this way, walking your fingers from the bottom up.
  • Check as high as the armpit and then check around the areola.
  • Walk along your collarbone and down again, too.
  • Raise your arms and see how your breasts look then, too.

P.S. This post is a partner collaboration.