How should I check my breasts?
Back to Topic
Click to Print
Useful Websites
Glossary Term Selection
There’s no right or wrong way to check your breasts. But it’s important to know how your breasts usually look and feel. That way, you can spot any changes quickly and report them to a GP.
Be breast aware
Every woman’s breasts are different in terms of size, shape and consistency. It’s also possible for one breast to be larger than the other.
Get used to how your breasts feel at different times of the month. This can change during your menstrual cycle. For example, some women have tender and lumpy breasts, especially near the armpit, around the time of their period.
After the menopause, normal breasts feel softer, less firm and not as lumpy.
The NHS Breast Screening Programme has produced a 5-point plan for being breast aware:
- know what’s normal for you
- look at your breasts and feel them
- know what changes to look for
- report any changes to a GP without delay
- attend routine screening if you’re aged 50 to 70
Look at your breasts and feel each breast and armpit, and up to your collarbo...
Want to see the rest of this article?
Would you like to see the rest of this article and all the other benefits that Issues Online can provide with?
- Useful related articles
- Video and multimedia references
- Statistical information and reference material
- Glossary of terms
- Key Facts and figures
- Related assignments
- Resource material and websites
