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Checking your breasts for cancer regularly has always been important, but with almost one million women in the UK reportedly missing their vital breast screening appointments due to Covid-19, spreading awareness about how to do so correctly has never been so crucial.
“As much we need to be remembering our masks every day and sanitising our hands, we also need to be checking our bodies. We’re a million short on breast cancer screenings at the moment, which is terrifying,” says Helen Addis, a producer for ITV’s Lorraine who set up the breast-checking campaign Change and Check last year.
The Change and Check campaign focuses on raising awareness about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, and began by placing advice on how to check your breasts in changing rooms across the country.
Yet, with many individuals staying away from the high street (and changing rooms closed) due to the pandemic, this year the message is being brought directly to our doorsteps, with pamphlets delivered by Royal Mail.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so there has never been a better time to not only discuss the disease that one in eight women will be diagnosed with in their lifetime, but to proactively encourage proper breast checking.
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Addis created Change and Check after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018. She was encouraged to check her breasts after a television segment, so realised how important it was to inspire other women to do the same.
So far, 36 women have come forward to credit the campaign with saving their lives, and Addis hopes this year even more individuals can be encouraged to check their breasts and report any changes to their doctor.
How to check for the signs of breast cancer by Dr. Hilary Jones
The signs to look for
- Visible changes in shape or size
- Skin changes such as; dimpling, puckering or a rash around the nipple
- Lumps or bumps
- Bloody discharge from the nipple
When to check
- Menstruating women should check their breasts following their period each month.
- For menopausal and post-menopausal women, pick a date each month that suits you.
How to check
- Sit comfortably in front of a mirror with hands on your hips so your chest muscles are relaxed.
- Look at the contour of the breast to check that it matches on each side and see if there is any puckering or dimpling.
- Look for any change in the nipple such as a rash or pulling in.
- Look for any skin change all around the nipple.
- Using the fingers of your left hand to examine the right breast, walk your middle three fingers around the breast. You’re feeling for any abnormal lumps or bumps or any irregularity that hasn’t been there before.
- Divide the breast into four quarters.
- Start on the inner upper quarter, walking those fingers around the breast.
- Do the same on the lower inner quarter and then across to the lower right quarter and then the upper right quarter.
- Walk fingers up to the tail of the breast in the armpit.
- Walk your fingers back to the areola around the nipple.
- Repeat steps above on the left breast, using your right hand to do so.
- If you notice anything unusual, see your doctor or nurse as soon as possible
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