Early detection of breast cancer saves lives. Knowing the look and feel of your own

breasts through regular self-checks helps you to detect any changes. Not all

changes will be cancerous but be vigilant and see your GP for advice if you are

concerned.

Monthly is good but sometimes it can be as simple as seeing something on the tele

that reminds you or hearing a conversation and you realise you haven’t checked

your breasts for a while. Maybe a friend has just been diagnosed. Use reminders on

your phone if you would like.

The best way to early detection is really to know the look and feel of your own

breasts. Your Dr may never offer a breast check so really it is up to the individual to

know what is normal for them.

You can ask a GP for a breast examination

Your GP, the visiting women's health nurse.

You will be asked to remove your clothing from the waist up, including your bra. In a

sitting position you will raise your arms above your head and then possibly be asked

to place your hands on your hips. The GP will be looking for anything that looks

unusual in the shape, size, colour of the breast or nipple.

The GP may then ask you to place your hand on their shoulder and they might feel

under your arm on both sides. This is when they are feeling for your lymph nodes.

You may then be asked to lie down and they may place some gentle pressure on the

breast and feel the tissue.

Some clinicians will feel this in a clockwise pattern and others will sweep the breast.

This may also be done when you are sitting up. Each person that examines a breast

has their own way of examining but this should be done in a private area where the

patient feels comfortable.

You will be asked questions about your breasts at this time as the Drs or nurses are

not familiar with the look and feel of your breasts and may ask if certain features are

"normal" for you. For example, some women have nipple retraction and have had it

all their lives. If this is normal for them a clinician would not be concerned about this,

however if this is a change to one nipple over the past month this would warrant

further investigation.

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-appointment with nurse

- led into the room for check

- machine involved

- imagery

- how quickly get an answer

- what if asked back?

- what is a biopsy and why?

- what will happen after biopsy

- what happens if they detect cancer

-how do I get a gene checkto see if I have the breastcancer gene? etc