It’s breast cancer awareness month so here are a few tips for everyone on how to get to know your breasts/pecs

Hopefully, these tips will help everyone get to know their normal and feel empowered to seek advice from their GP.

Everyone’s breasts/pecs are different and most changes are natural and harmless but it is always best to get checked out, please do not hesitate to seek advice from your GP, that’s what we are here for!

The most common comment I get from patients is that they just don’t know where to start and wonder if they’re checking themselves the wrong way. There’s no wrong way to check yourself but here are some helpful tips to guide you along the way.

This guide applies to everyone- breasts and pecs, of all ages. Everyone should become comfortable getting to know their bodies and what is normal for them.

Early breast cancer diagnosis saves lives.

Think of when you might want to check them, I recommend making it a monthly habit and part of your routine.

It can be hard to remember this in our busy lives but you can set yourself a calendar reminder or even sign up to the breast cancer charity Coppafeel!’s monthly text/email or calendar reminder service. They’ve even got some great shower stickers to remind you to check yourself!

Think of where you might feel most comfortable checking- whether it be in the shower, in front of a mirror or lying in bed or on the sofa. It is also a good idea to check yourself lying down as well as standing up.

Onto how to get to know your breasts or pecs, I like to think of it in different steps:

1. Look- look for any changes you can see ( this is where the mirror can come in handy) any changes in size, shape, or skin changes such as puckering or dimpling. You can do this with your arms raised and down by your sides.
2. Feel- Feel for any changes using your hands, don’t forget to feel across and all the way up above the breast/pec up to the collarbones and into your armpits.
3. Notice any changes to your nipples such as discharge, bleeding, rashes, crusting or position of your nipples. Notice any pain in the breasts, this can be normal around your period but if this is different, unexplained or not going away it’s worth getting it checked out by your GP.

If you’d like some more guidance and information with videos, a checking toolkit, and lots more information please have a look at the Coppafeel! website.

Dr Rory Taylor

Private GP, Parsons Green