In this article

Your breasts Breast development Being breast aware

What to look for What to do if you find a change

Breast screening Breast awareness five-point code

The Department of Health recommends that instead of examining your breasts every month for abnormalities, you follow this five-point code, which is much more effective at detecting changes and abnormalities.

1. Know what's normal for you

Woman of all ages should be aware of the normal appearance and texture of their breasts. The following can be normal:

• One breast bigger than the other
• Nipple inversion
• Accessory breast/nipple (two to five per cent)
• Lumpiness
• Tenderness or pain

During the menstrual cycle, some women experience enlarged, tender, lumpy breasts and these symptoms settle after the period. But some women experience lumpy, tender breasts all the time.

During pregnancy, breasts become larger as the milk-producing cells multiply. It's normal for the nipples to get darker and the blood vessels to become more prominent.

As you age, breast tissue loses its elasticity and it's normal for breasts to sag. During the menopause, your breasts may shrink (as a result of the reduction in oestrogen), although sometimes they do get larger. The nipples may alter, as the major ducts behind them get shorter and wider.

Get to know what is normal for you by:

• Feeling your breasts every day until you're familiar with their texture and how it can change through the menstrual cycle
• Look and feel your breasts regularly, whenever it's convenient for you

2. Know what changes to look and feel for

Once you're aware of what's normal for you, it's important to look out for changes in your breasts. You should look out for any of the following:

• A change in the shape of the breast (pulling of the skin, visible swelling)
• Changes in the nipple (pulling in)
• Swelling in the armpit
• Lumps or thickening that feels different from the rest of the breast

3. Look and feel

Whenever is convenient for you:

• Look at your breasts in the mirror and notice how they fall and move as you raise your arms
• Look at the position of your nipples
• Feel your breasts from time to time

4. Report any changes to your GP without delay

The majority of changes will be normal. Your GP may:

• Ask you to return at another time in your menstrual cycle
• Refer you to a breast clinic
• Invite you to attend routine screening if you're between the age of 50 and 70

5. Attend routine screening if you're 50 or over

Between breast-screening appointments, it's important that you continue to be breast aware and follow the five-point code.

Information in these breast awareness pages is reproduced with the kind permission of Breast Cancer Care

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Trisha Macnair in August 2007.