Surviving Breast Cancer Now!

Since I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I have become very breast aware and am anxious that I should know how to advise my daughters so that their risk of this horrible disease is minimized. So, whatever your age, size or shape it is so important to take care of your breasts. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK. It affects men as well as women. So it is important to look after your breasts by being breast aware. This means getting to know how your breasts look and feel, so you know what is normal for you. You will then be more confident about noticing any unusual changes.

Before my breast cancer diagnosis, I did not check my breasts. I did not know I should. I know now this was a big mistake. Try to get used to looking at and feeling your breasts regularly. You can do this easily in the bath or shower or when you get dressed. Check all parts of your breasts, your armpits and up to your collarbone.

It will not surprise you to know that before I was told I had breast cancer, I did not know what changes to look for – many of us don’t. Make sure you know what your own breasts feel like. Everyone’s look and feel different, so when yo check your breasts, be aware of any changes that are different for you.

This might be a change in size or shape; redness or a rash on the skin or around the nipple or lumps or thickening that feels different from the rest of the breast tissue. Alternatively, you might become aware of  change in skin texture such as puckering or dimpling like orange peel. I found a discharge from my right nipple, but I did not recognise this as a sign of breast cancer. Other changes might be swelling in the armpit or around your collarbone. Be aware if your nipple becomes inverted when it is not usually so or changes its position or shape in another way; you may also have constant pain in your breast or armpit.

If you notice any change in your breasts go to see your GP as soon as possible. Most changes are benign, but if you are struck by breast cancer, give the doctors a chance to help you by going to see them as early as possible.

My breast cancer was discovered as the result of a breast screening appointment arranged by my GP. Breast screening, or mammography as it is known, is an X-ray examination of the breasts. For me, it helped to detect breast cancer before I was aware of any signs or symptoms. The sooner the breast cancer is detected and diagnosed, the more effective treatment will be and the more likely you are to have a more satisfactory outcome.

Valerie Penny