Be Breast Aware - How to Spot Potential Signs of Breast Cancer

6 days ago

2 min read

[Please note: The following is based on information from breast cancer awareness organizations and should not be mistaken for medical advice. Please consult a physician for concrete medical advice.]

I’ll be honest, at 36, the idea of checking my breasts for signs of cancer was not on my mind. I figured I’d start going for the province-paid mammograms at 50 and that would take care of it. Then my first cousin, who is 39, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She found a lump, got it checked out and yup – cancer.

Before hearing about this, I was unconcerned. Now, I’m hyper-aware that breast cancer can happen at any age. Yes, 80% of breast cancer cases occur in women between ages 50 and 74, but that still leaves 20% of cases for women outside of this range. It’s not something to stress over, but it’s definitely important to be aware. And to be aware means knowing your breasts.

It’s not complicated. All you have to do is know what they look like normally, so if something looks or feels abnormal, you’ll spot it and can bring it to your doctor's attention. There’s no need to perform complicated palpations or examinations. You can start right now. Think about your breasts; you probably know them pretty well. Then, next time you’re towelling off after a shower, look at your breast region – does anything look different?

Your breast region is considered to be everything from the breast tissue to your clavicle, including your underarms and nipples. Is there anything there that you’re seeing for the first time?

It’s crucial to remember that changes to breast tissue and overall appearance is normal and it evolves with age, life events and during the different phases of menstruation. So the key is persistent change. This is why experts advise monthly checks. If you see something one month but it’s gone the next, then it’s probably not concerning.

The infographic below details what doctors mean when they say “changes” to your breast region. Keep these things in mind when you’re checking yourself, and if something seems abnormal, make an appointment with your doctor. Even if you get mammograms as part of the provincial program, you should be checking your breasts because cancer can appear between screenings.

For more information, we found www.rubanrose.org to be especially informative and reassuring.