Breast Checks: Breast Cancer Support and After Care

Welcome to the

Women’s Wellness Hub

Topics on this Page:

Why check my own breasts?

How often should I do a breast check myself?

Is it ok just to get Dr to do a breast check?

Where go to do them in Australia?

What if I am rural?

What to expect when go to get check?


This web page is designed to be informative and educational. It is not intended to provide specific medical advice or replace advice from your health practitioner.

All about Breast Checks

Why check my own breasts?

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.

FAQ image

How often should I do a breast check myself?

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.

FAQ image

Is it ok just to get Dr to do a breast check?

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.

FAQ image

Where go to do them in Australia?

You can ask a GP for a breast examination

FAQ image

What if I am rural?

Your GP, the visiting women's health nurse.

FAQ image

What to expect when go to get check?

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.

FAQ image

What if I find a lump?

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem dolore, alias, numquam enim ab voluptate id quam harum ducimus cupiditate similique quisquam et deserunt, recusandae.

FAQ image

Should I keep notes or photos of changes?

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem dolore, alias, numquam enim ab voluptate id quam harum ducimus cupiditate similique quisquam et deserunt, recusandae.

FAQ image

When Should I askfor a mammogram?

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem dolore, alias, numquam enim ab voluptate id quam harum ducimus cupiditate similique quisquam et deserunt, recusandae.

FAQ image

When do I need to have a mammogram?

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Autem dolore, alias, numquam enim ab voluptate id quam harum ducimus cupiditate similique quisquam et deserunt, recusandae.

FAQ image

Will is the procedure going into have a mammogram?

-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

FAQ image

Women's Wellness Hub Directory

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors and ambassadors

Birthing Trauma

Birthing trauma can have major long term consequences on wellness

October 01, 20242 min read

 

Last week, Family Counselling Support Network honoured Birth Trauma Awareness Week (July 17-21).

Australian and international research suggests that up to 1 in 3 women identify their birth experience as traumatic (Heyne et al, 2022). Birth trauma happens when women experience events during birth that lead to emotional and psychological overwhelm. These overwhelming experiences can lead to immediate and long-term negative effects on her health and wellbeing (Leinweiber et al, 2022).

Unexpected medical interventions (for example induction, epidural, or an emergency Caesarian section), premature delivery, prolonged and painful labour, miscarriage or stillbirth or other medical complications are experiences that increase the risk of birth-related trauma. 

If you have experienced a traumatic birth, you may have felt afraid, helpless or unsupported by those around you during birth. After the birth, you may have been left feeling guilty or numb due to events beyond your control. You could even suffer from panic attacks. If this happens you need to know you are not alone!

We also know that there is often a strong correlation between birth trauma and the likelihood of new mums experiencing some level of postpartum depression or anxiety. Postpartum depression (also called PPD) is a medical condition that many women get after having a baby. It’s characterised by strong feelings of sadness, depressed mood, loss of interest, anxiety (worry), difficulties with concentration, changes in appetite and sleep, suicidal ideation, and tiredness that lasts for a long time after giving birth. It can make it hard for you to take care of yourself and the baby.

A mother experiencing birth trauma and postpartum depression may feel neglected, confused, scared, resentful, unsupported, burdened or exhausted. These feelings can lead to ongoing struggles that complicate being a new parent.

If you are experiencing difficulties pre and/or post-birth, we want to know help is available and we are here for you. You don’t need to suffer alone.  We are here for you.

Psychologist, Louisa Mason, has experience working with new mothers with low mood, those who need to process their birth experiences, or who are experiencing anxiety.  

birth trauma miscarriageemergency caeasarianpostnatal depressionperinatal depressioncounselling psychologyonlinecounsellingonline psychologistanxietybaby depresseion
Back to Blog

This site is brought to you by Family Counselling Support Network

Book in directly with one of our professionals today

We are here to help

We are committed to protecting your personal information and respecting your privacy. This website uses cookies to analyze website traffic and optimise your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

DISCLAIMER: The material contained on this website is for general educational and information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, medical or psychological advice or care. While every care has been taken in the information provided, no legal responsibility or liability is accepted, warranted or implied by the authors or Family Counselling Support Network and any liability is hereby expressly disclaimed. For specific advice please contact us at [email protected]. All information contained on the website remains the intellectual property of Family Counselling Support Network and is for your personal educational use only. The information must not be reproduced or distributed without the express permission of Family Counselling Support Network.

Family Counselling Support Network acknowledges and respects the First Nations Custodians of the land where our offices stand, and where we work to help Australians. We pay respects to their Elders, past present and emerging, lore, customs and creation spirits. We recognise that these lands have always been places of ceremony, teaching, research and learning, and we acknowledge the important role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples play in our community.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment where people and communities of all identities and backgrounds are accepted, safe and celebrated.

Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions

© Family Counselling Support Network 2024 | Website Design by Fancy Freedom .