Breast Awareness
The earlier breast cancer is found, the more likely it is to be curable
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women
Early breast cancer does not usually cause any pain and often there are no symptoms
Screening programs use breast X-rays (mammograms) to detect cancer early
Talk to your doctor about how to check your breasts for lumps
The risk of breast cancer increases with age. Three quarters of new breast cancer cases develop in women over 50
Ask your doctor whether you need a mammogram
Most women survive breast cancer
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Common types of breast cancer
Common types of breast cancer
The most common forms of breast cancer occur in the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) or in the lobules (milk-producing parts of the breast). Cancer that is only in the duct but has not spread any further is called ductal carcinoma-in-situ. Cancer that is only in the lobule but has not spread any further is called lobular carcinoma-in-situ. If cancer is not found and removed early, it can spread to other areas such as the lymph nodes in the breast or armpit. Advanced (metastatic) breast cancer means the cancer has spread to other parts of the body such as the liver, bones or brain.
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Major risk factors for breast cancer
Major risk factors for breast cancer
- Being female
- Middle and older age
- Breast cancer in the family
- Genetics
- Having breast cancer or other cancers in the past
- Being exposed to radiation
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Other risk factors for breast cancer
Other risk factors for breast cancer
- Having more periods (starting menstruation before 12 or late menopause after 55, not having children)
- Not breastfeeding
- Weight gain, especially after menopause
- Hormone replacement therapy (especially long term use)
- More than two alcoholic drinks per day
- Use of diethylstilboestrol (DES), either by you or your mother. (DES is a medicine used to prevent miscarriage between 1940 and 1970.)
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Things that do not cause breast cancer
Things that do not cause breast cancer
- Wearing under-wire or tight fitting bras
- Termination of pregnancy
- Silicone breast implants
- Stress
- A bump or knock to the breast
- Use of antiperspirant deodorants
Source: www.nbcf.org.au
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Symptoms and signs of breast cancer
Symptoms and signs of breast cancer
- A lump in the breast or the underarm area (particularly if only on one side, and does not change with your menstrual cycle)
- Irregular thickening in the breast
- Swelling or hardness in the breast
- Unusual skin irritation or changes of skin colour
- Veins on the breast surface becoming more obvious or standing up
- Dimpling, pitting or puckering of the skin like an orange peel
- Redness, warmth or scaliness of the skin of the nipple or the breast surface
- Changes in the nipple such as redness, crusting, ulceration, or a clear or bloody discharge (other than breast milk)
- Change of shape of the nipple, or inversion of the nipple (pulling in)
- Persistent pain in one spot, particularly if it is in just one breast and is not related to your menstrual cycle or to hormone medicines.
If you notice these or any other changes you should visit your doctor as soon as possible.
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Reducing your risk
Reducing your risk
- Check your breasts regularly for lumps and other changes. Ask your doctor how.
- Plan to have regular mammograms as appropriate for your age and level of risk. Ask your doctor.
- Maintain a healthy body weight.
- Have healthy eating habits, including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
- Get regular exercise.
- If you drink alcohol, limit your drinking to no more than two standard drinks per day.
- Breastfeed your baby for as long as you can.
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Checking your breasts
Checking your breasts
Your breasts may feel different at different times of your menstrual cycle. If you are pre-menopausal, the first seven to ten days of your cycle are the best time to check your breast for changes.
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Raise one arm and examine the breast with the opposite hand. This is easier to do in the shower, or using body lotion.
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Use different amounts of pressure to check the full depth of the breast tissue.
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Raise each arm in turn and check in the armpit for lumps.
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Squeeze each nipple gently to check for any discharge.
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Look in the mirror with your hands on your hips and then with your hands clasped under your chin with tightened chest muscles.
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Check for any changes in the appearance of your breasts.
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Look for lumps, new differences in size, swelling, dimpling or redness of the skin, and changes in the nipples.
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What do breast lumps mean?
What do breast lumps mean?
Breast changes and lumps are common, and come and go due to hormones and as you age. Most of these changes are not cancer. If you find a lump in your breast or any other change, contact your doctor immediately. Your doctor may send you for other tests such as for further screening tests such as a mammogram, scans or biopsy. A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. It can detect breast cancers when they are quite small, even before they can be felt with your hand.
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Breast cancer screening
Breast cancer screening
The earlier breast cancer is found, the more likely it is to be curable. Screening means testing for cancer in people without a diagnosis or symptoms. Breast screening uses X-rays (mammograms) to find breast changes early. Breastscreen Australia offers regular free mammograms for women in some age groups.
If your mammogram is abnormal, you will be contacted about what to do next.
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Where to find information about Breastscreen services
Where to find information about Breastscreen services
Breastscreen Australian Capital Territory