Breast cancer is the most common (1) cancer among women in Western Australia. Every year more than 1,450 women in WA (2) are diagnosed with breast cancer.
Knowing the signs of breast cancer as well as participating in breast screening can help to find breast cancer at an early stage, improving the chances of successful treatment. Breasts come in all shapes and sizes and will change throughout your life. Your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, age and weight may alter the size, shape and feel of your breasts.
If you get to know your breasts and what is normal for you, you may be more likely to notice any unusual changes.
We encourage all women to check their breasts regularly by:
- Looking in the mirror and checking your breasts from time to time.
- Taking a few minutes to feel them while you are in the shower or bath, lying in bed, or getting dressed.
- Feeling all the breast tissue, from the collarbone to below the bra-line, and under the armpit.
Being breast aware is always important but especially as you get older because the risk of breast cancer increases with age. The average age at diagnosis is 62 years old. (3)
Being breast aware is more than just checking for lumps. Abnormal changes you should look out for include:
- A lump, lumpiness or thickening in the breast
- Changes in the size or shape of the breast
- Changes in the nipple - turning inward (inversion), itchy skin, sores, crustiness
- A clear or bloody discharge from the nipple
- Changes in the skin -dimpling (like an orange peel), puckering, redness
- Pain or swelling in the armpit
- Persistent new breast pain
Most breast changes are not breast cancer, however it is important to have any changes checked by your GP, even if your last mammogram was normal.
