Breast cancer

Breast cancer affects 1 in 12 women at some point during their lives, so it's important that you become aware of how your breasts should feel. One of the best ways to become aware is to regularly self-examine your breasts (perhaps with the help of your partner) for any lumps or swelling.

Most of the time, these lumps will be harmless (or benign) - however, some can be the first sign of breast cancer. So, if you identify these lumps early on, the chances of successful treatment can drastically improve. Because your breasts can change throughout your menstrual cycle (their shape, weight and texture), it's a good idea to get to know how they normally feel.

Breast Awareness

Breast awareness means getting to know your own breasts and what they look and feel like - so you know what is normal for you. Your breasts change throughout your menstrual cycle so it's important that you learn to recognise the changes that are normal for you. Breast awareness means getting to know your own breasts and what they look and feel like - so you know what is normal for you. Your breasts change throughout your menstrual cycle so it's important that you learn to recognise the changes that are normal for you.

It's a good idea to get used to how your breasts look and feel when you are dressing, showering or bathing. If you are in a sexual relationship you, or your partner, may notice any changes in each other's breasts. Each breast contains 15 - 20 glands designed to produce milk. These glands are surrounded by layers of fatty tissue. Often it is the glands we can feel in our beast and that is quite normal

What to Look For

General lumps and bumps - Anyone who does experience a problem with their breasts may fear that they have breast cancer. However 9 out of 10 lumps beast conditions are benign (harmless) and have nothing to do with cancer. The most common problems women experience are linked to their breasts feeling generally lumpy and sometimes painful. This is part of normal development and is often linked to your periods. If you find your breasts are lumpy just before a period, check again after it's finished. If the lumpiness has gone, it will most likely have been due to hormone changes. Other benign lumps are fibro adenomas or cysts. Fibro adenomas are firm painless lumps of tissue and are more common in women under 30. They are often left untreated after diagnosis, although you can have them remove if you wish or if they become larger.

Breast Pain

Painful breasts are a very common problem. Sometimes the breast pain can be unbearable and may affect your life e.g. they are painful to touch, your sleep is affected and/or the constant pain wears you down. There are some things you can do if your breasts are very painful: If you wear a bra, it's worth buying one that supports you properly; it's surprising what a difference this can sometimes make.

• It is also worth looking at what you eat and trying to reduce saturated fats in your diet, (animal fats such as butter, cream, and fatty meat)
• Stress and tension can also be a factor in breast pain, so it's worth thinking about what you can do to relax and get rid of tension.
• Some women find that taking oil of evening primrose or star flower oil, both of which contain gamma linoleic acid (GLA) helps to reduce breast pain. You will probably need to take it for several weeks before you feel any effects.

Again it is important to get breast pain checked out - GPs can prescribe treatments to ease the pain, including gamma linoleic acid (based on Oil of Evening Primrose) and they can check your breast for any lumps. If you have painful breasts and don't want to se e male doctor than you can visit a local Well Woman Clinic where you can see a woman doctor

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