Checking your chest is easy
Detecting Breast Cancer early does save lives.
Self-checking is really easy and can form part of your shower/bath/getting dressed routine without you even noticing. There’s no wrong way of doing a self check, just have a feel, and the more you do it, the sooner you will know what your ‘normal’ looks and feels like. The important thing is that you’re able to spot any changes.
Why should you do this? Because finding something early will significantly benefit your outcome.
“I’m only 42! I was told that my stage 3 breast cancer had been likely growing for 18 months! If I had performed regular checks, it could have been caught sooner and my aggressive treatment plan and life changing prognosis would be very different! ”
Our chest checking checklist…
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If you feel or see something unusual, please get an appointment with your GP.
Feeling a lump is not the only sign that something isn’t meant to be there. Lumps can also come in all shapes and sizes.
Getting to know your body so you recognize when something does change is so important for any health check.
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Checking your boobs monthly is a the absolute top tip to staying in tune with your body in order to catch any unusual changes early on.
The more you do it, the more you'll get to know what’s normal for you, so if anything changes, you’ll know!
NOTE: If you have periods, do your self check a week after it ends. Your body naturally changes during this time so please avoid checking whilst your time of the month is happening.
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Look and feel! It’s not just about how your chest feels but what you see can reveal things too.
Check around your boobs and all the way up to your collarbone and under your armpits. This advice is for everyone, regardless of gender. So, make it a habit to check this whole area each time.
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What does ‘normal’ look and feel like for you? Once you establish this, you’ll easily detect any changes that a GP can then take a look at for you.
If you experience periods, remember, it's really common for your breasts to undergo natural changes throughout the month so avoid the time of the month for checking.
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s normal for your boobs to change, but if in doubt, please get it checked out.
Video guide
This 60 second video will explain to you what to do.
Breast cancer doesn’t have an age which is why self-checking is so important from a younger age. Read some of the stories from local breast cancer warriors here.
Detecting anything odd early can save your life.
Practice makes perfect
Regular self-exams can help you spot any unusual changes early on, which is key for addressing potential health concerns. Know your body. Know when something feels different.
When you're checking, feel for things like lumps of any kind of shape, look for any changes in size or shape, shifts in skin texture, or any unusual discharge from your nipple. If in doubt, check it out! Early intervention can make a huge difference in outcomes, so staying proactive about self checks is a priority.
NOTE: Avoid your time of the month. Your body naturally changes at this time so wait a week after to have a check of yourself.
Useful links to other reliable resources:
Breast Cancer Now - dedicated to giving support for today and hope for the future, for everyone affected by breast cancer.
Breast Cancer UK - Lots of useful info, recipes, research
Breast Cancer NHS - A comprehensive resource of medical information
Cancer Research UK - the UK’s leading research organisation
Macmillan Cancer Support - UK charity with breast cancer related information