Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

October is breast cancer awareness month. This month aims to increase awareness of the disease. About one in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer during their life time. There’s a good chance of recovery if it’s detected in its early stages. It is very important that women check their breasts regularly for any changes and always get any changes examined by their Doctor.

Breast cancer can have a number of symptoms, but the first noticeable symptom is usually a lump or area of thickened breast tissue. Most breast lumps aren’t cancerous, but it’s always best to have checked by your doctor. You should also see your doctor if you notice any of the following:

A change in the size or shape of one or both breasts

A discharge from either of your nipples, which may be streaked with blood.

A lump or swelling in either of your armpits

A rash on or around your nipple

Dimpling on the skin of your breasts

A change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken in to your breast.

Breast pain isn’t usually a symptom of breast cancer. The exact causes of breast cancer aren’t fully understood. However, there are certain factors known to increase the risk of breast cancer. These include:

Age; the risk increases as you get older

A family history of breast cancer

A previous diagnosis of breast cancer

A previous benign breast lump

Being tall, overweight or obese

Excessive use of alcohol

After examining your breasts, your doctor may refer you to a specialist breast cancer clinic for further tests. This might include breast screening (mammography) or a biopsy. In rare cases, Men can also be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Check out this link (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer-in-men/ ) to read about breast cancer in men, how breast cancer is diagnosed etc.