October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign which aims to raise awareness around screening, treatment, and prevention of breast cancer.
Breast cancer is cancer that’s found in the breasts. It’s the most common type of cancer in women in the UK.
Anyone can get breast cancer but there are particular communities where breast cancer is more common or is a taboo subject. For example, 1 in 4 black women will have advanced breast cancer at diagnosis. We’re committed to tackling these health inequalities in Hampshire.
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.
You should see a GP if you notice any of the following changes in your breasts:
- a change in the size, outline or shape of your breast.
- a change in the look or feel of the skin on your breast, such as puckering or dimpling, a rash or redness.
- a new lump, swelling, thickening or bumpy area in one breast or armpit that was not there before.
- a discharge of fluid from either of your nipples
- any change in nipple position, such as your nipple being pulled in or pointing differently.
- a rash (like eczema), crusting, scaly or itchy skin or redness on or around your nipple
- any discomfort or pain in one breast, particularly if it’s a new pain and does not go away (although pain is only a symptom of breast cancer in rare cases).
Find out more about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
Women and people between 50-71 years old are invited by the NHS for breast screening every three years.
Breast screening, also known as a mammogram, is an X-ray that checks for signs of breast cancers when they are too small to see or feel.
This service is free, and women and people are encouraged to get screened as the sooner breast cancer is found, the more likely it is to respond well to treatment.