The Beginner’s Guide to
With 150 people in the UK being diagnosed with breast cancer every day, it’s important that we, as a society, celebrate, care for, and check our own boobs. Breast cancer is the most common Despite having a much lower chance Abnormalities you should be cancer in the UK, affecting over 55,000 of being diagnosed with breast cancer, looking out for include: a change in people every year. Cancer research it’s important that people who were shape, size or outline; a change in the is always evolving, but without a cure assigned male at birth check monthly feel of your skin, for example dimpling; a it still has the ability to affect anyone, too. Typically having less breast tissue lump that doesn’t appear symmetrically; regardless of their gender. It is most to work with, it should take a fraction of unusual nipple discharge or bleeding; a common in those assigned female the time. red and moist area on your nipple that There isn’t an absolute guide to doesn’t heal; change in nipple direction, at birth, with 1 in 7 being diagnosed at some point during their for example being constantly lifetime. That’s not to say that Diagnosis in the early stage has a 98% inverted; any pain or those assigned male at birth survival rate compared to diagnosis in discomfort that is prolonged can’t get it, and no matter (information from the NHS the later stages dropping to 26%. who you are it is important and Coppafeel! charity). to check your breasts at least once a checking your boobs, but to ensure you month. Research shows that diagnosis don’t miss anything, just follow these Breast cancer screenings are in the early stage has a 98% survival handy steps: available but are only offered every 3 rate (of 5 years or more) compared to years to those over 50, whereas breast 1. Understand what your breasts cancer can affect anyone of any age. diagnosis in the later stages dropping to 26% survival rate (of 5 years or more). usually feel like over the course of a The moment you start to develop breast With everyone owning their month. There are many factors that tissue – which happens at a young age own set of breasts, they should be people face – especially folk who are – you are at risk. Even if you receive celebrated and cared for. Big or small, assigned female at birth – during a the mammograms, breast screening, checking monthly is vital to ensure 4-week cycle, and it’s important to it is important to check your breasts any abnormalities get checked out as know what’s a period boob versus a between appointments. The disease early as possible. Checking your boobs potential breast cancer risk. isn’t necessarily hereditary either, with 2. Raise both arms and look at less than 10% of cases due to family needn’t be a chore, either. The easiest way to check them is to incorporate your boobs in a mirror, turn to examine history. checking them into your shower routine all angles of the breast – including the as the water makes your hand move armpit area – note any abnormalities. If you do find an abnormality you 3. Lower one arm, and with this need to make an appointment with your effortlessly over your skin, but it can be done any moment of your day. You using the pads of your fingers, with a GP as soon as you can. It’s important could check before getting dressed for gentle yet firm press, slide along the to get it seen by a professional sooner the day; just before getting into bed surface of your boob, from the base rather than later – even if ends up for the night; in the middle of a Netflix of the armpit, sweep under, over and being benign. At this appointment marathon. You know your own boobs just below the collar bone – note any your GP will examine your breasts and better than anyone else, but there is abnormalities. determine if you need to be referred to 4. Swap arms and repeat step 3 a breast clinic or not. Being referred nothing stopping you from having a on your other breast. friend or partner help you out! is not saying that you definitely have 102
Image by Lane Craigie
Boobs
