CANCER ALERT - WATCH OUT YOUR BREASTS

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Singer from the Symphonic Metal Band Nightwish, Floor Jansen, announced via Twitter this week that she has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She has had Surgery to remove the Tumour and her prognosis appears to be good.

But I would like to take the opportunity to remind people how to self-check your breasts.

How should I check my breasts?

There's no right or wrong way to check your breasts. But it's important to know how your breasts usually look and feel. That way, you can spot any changes quickly and report them to a GP.

Be breast aware

Every woman's breasts are different in terms of size, shape and consistency. It's also possible for one breast to be larger than the other.

Get used to how your breasts feel at different times of the month. This can change during your menstrual cycle. For example, some women have tender and lumpy breasts, especially near the armpit, around the time of their period.

After the menopause, normal breasts feel softer, less firm and not as lumpy.

The NHS Breast Screening Program in the UK has produced a 5-point plan for being breast aware:

1- Know what's normal for you

2- Look at your breasts and feel them

3- Know what changes to look for

4- Report any changes to a Doctor without delay

5- Attend routine screening if you're aged 50 to 70

Look at your breasts and feel each breast and armpit, and up to your collarbone. You may find it easiest to do this in the shower or bath, by running a soapy hand over each breast and up under each armpit.

You can also look at your breasts in the mirror. Look with your arms by your side and also with them raised.