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General health information

Checking your breasts

Knowing how your breasts or chest normally look and feel helps you notice changes. Look at and feel each breast, armpit and the area up to the collarbone regularly, about monthly.

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  • Breast awareness means knowing how your breasts, chest and armpits normally look and feel, so you notice a new change sooner.
  • There is no perfect examination technique or compulsory fixed schedule. Looking and feeling regularly at a time that suits you matters more than a complicated method.
  • Check the whole area: breastbone to armpit, collarbone to lower breast edge, both nipples and both armpits.
  • Look for pulling in, skin dimples, changes in shape, persistent localised pain, nipple changes or spontaneous discharge, as well as a lump.
  • Most breast changes are not cancer, but only an examination can reliably assess the cause.
  • Do not wait for screening with a new change. Screening is for people without symptoms and never rules out cancer completely.

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Further reading

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M
Mastitis during breastfeedingMastitis is inflammation of the breast that often starts when milk does not drain well. The breast may become warm, painful and swollen and you may feel flu-like. Continuing to feed normally is usually safe and helps.
E
Enlarged breasts in menEnlarged breasts in men may consist of extra fat, growth of breast gland tissue or both. Glandular growth is called gynaecomastia and is common during puberty and in older age. It is usually benign, but a hard lump on one side, a nipple change or an armpit lymph node needs investigation.
B
Breast changesA new lump, change in shape or skin, inverted nipple or unexpected nipple discharge is often benign, but may indicate infection or breast cancer and needs assessment. Pay particular attention to changes that are new and persistent; redness with fever needs prompt care, and severe illness with rapidly spreading redness may be an emergency.