How to do a self examination
While checking your breasts, you should be looking out for lumps, feeling for any new pain, changes in your nipple or any tethering of the skin. Though it’s important to remember, if you have any concerns about any changes, please make an appointment with your general practitioner.
An important message from
Dr Heidi Peverill, Mater Breast Surgeon
Dr Heidi Peverill, Mater Breast Surgeon
You’ve taken action to support Australian women living with breast cancer, but are you looking after your own health?
The most important thing you can do is to check your breasts (or encourage a loved one to check theirs).
Mammograms are offered for women aged 50 and older, but we encourage women of all ages to check their breasts monthly. Did you know that nearly 50% of women diagnosed find their breast cancer themselves?
This means that self-examination—and just generally becoming familiar with your breasts (or encouraging a loved one to become familiar with theirs)—is so important. It means that you (or they) will be able to recognise any changes, and is key for early detection.
If we, as medical professionals, find cancers earlier and smaller, the outcomes are much better.
In terms of breast cancer prevention, we now know that some lifestyle factors can help increase the chance a woman may develop breast cancer.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, keeping our weight in a healthy range, and minimising alcohol intake all contribute to reducing our breast cancer risk as we get older.
with breast cancer this October
