Breast Awareness - Noting Changes In Your Breasts

Breast Health

The road to health almost always starts with the first step -- awareness. And this includes your breasts’ health. Awareness does not necessarily mean following a rigid code of activities. Sometimes, all it needs is a little more attention to your breasts.

Access Awareness

Being breast-aware means familiarizing yourself with your breasts: the changes they go through, how they look and feel normally.

There is no set way to check your breasts, but you should find time to do it on a regular basis. Remember 5 things when examining your breasts:

1. Know what is normal for you.
2.Know what changes to look and feel for.
3.Look and feel.
4.Report any changes to your doctor without delay.
5.Attend for routine breast screening if you are aged 50 and over.
Changes to be aware of:
size - if one breast becomes larger, or lower
nipples - if a nipple becomes inverted (pulled in) or changes position or shape
rashes - on or around the nipple
discharge – often white, from one or both nipples
skin changes - puckering or dimpling
swelling - under the armpit or around the collarbone
pain - continuous, in one part of the breast or armpit
lump or thickening - different to the rest of the breast tissue.

However, don’t get too carried away unless if you you’re your suspicious about a breast cancer is verified. Most breast changes are not cancer, so don’t fret immediately; it’s best to check with your doctor as soon as possible.