Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast Cancer Awareness Month runs throughout October and is dedicated to global breast cancer awareness. It is often called “Pink October”. It is a month to raise awareness of breast cancer and to raise awareness of the importance of checking their breasts. “Checking your chest regularly means you get to know what’s normal for you. And knowing what’s normal means you’ll notice faster if something changes, the earlier breast cancer is diagnosed the easier it is to treat.” (Coopafeel!)

Learn the signs and symptoms, encourage screening attendance. Common symptoms are lumps or swelling. A firm hard or thickened mass in the breast near the collarbone or under the arm. Skin changes, dimpling, puckering or skin that looks like an orange peel, redness or change in skin colour. Nipple changes can also be a sign. A nipple that turns inward, flattened or changes direction. If you are not breastfeeding or pregnant nipple discharge can also be a sign. Size or shape changes, unexplained alterations in overall size or appearance of one or both breasts. A rash or crusting like an eczema-like rash, scaling or flaking around the nipple or areola.

Each year, about 55,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK. It is more common in people over 50, but it can also affect younger people. (Macmillan Cancer Support).