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Know what's normal for you
Your breasts will go through many perfectly normal changes throughout your lifetime. They are affected by hormonal changes during your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breast-feeding, the menopause (change of life) and weight loss or weight gain.
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The menstrual cycle
Each month, during your child-bearing years, your breasts prepare for pregnancy and breast-feeding. Breasts often become enlarged, tender and lumpy shortly before a period starts but return to normal once the period is over (although some women may have tender, lumpy breasts throughout their cycle). |
The menopause
Breast tissue changes after the menopause; it is often less dense and firm, and becomes more fatty, making your breasts feel softer. As you grow older your breasts may get smaller. If you take HRT (hormone replacement therapy) your breasts may feel firmer and sometimes quite tender.
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The breast awareness 5-point code
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 GP without delay
5. Attend for routine breast screening if you are aged 50 or over
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What changes should I be aware of?
These are the changes that you should be aware of when you look at and feel your breasts:
- a change in size - it may be that one breast has become noticeably larger or noticeably lower
- a nipple has become inverted (pulled in) or changed its position or shape
- a rash around the nipple
- discharge from one or both nipples
- puckering or dimpling of the skin
- a swelling under your armpit or around your collarbone (where the lymph nodes or glands are)
- a lump or thickening in your breast that feels different from the rest of the breast tissue
- constant pain in one part of your breast or in your armpit
For more information on Breast Cancer visit the Breast Cancer Care site
All information supplied by Breast Cancer Care.
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