National Mammography day: Why Breast Cancer Awareness Month is So Important
Posted on October 20 2017
Photo: Courtesy of Make Me Cake Me
Why Breast Cancer Awareness Month is So Important
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. Every two minutes, one in eight women in both the US and UK are diagnosed with the disease. It occurs when cancer cells form in the tissues of the breast, causing an abnormality. Although men can develop breast cancer, over 99% of all new cases are in women.
Cancer of any type is a tough subject to discuss. It sucks. F*ck cancer. The figures can be daunting and it’s easy to turn a blind eye, but don’t let the numbers scare you into oblivion. There is good news too.
Survival rates for breast cancer have been on the rise since 1990 and are improving each year. So much so that the average 10-year survival rate is as high as 83%, with over 3.3 million survivors living in the US today. This rate is due to many factors such as early detection, increased awareness, better screening, and the continued advancement and availability of the treatment options.
It is crucial that we check in with our girls each week to feel for any breast abnormalities and share any concerns we may have with our doctor.
To help you out, we’ve put together a handy guide on what to look out for when you’re handling your boobs. It really comes down to the look and feel. You’ve got this, girls.
Some boobs are naturally lumpy and this can be perfectly normal. The key is to get to know your girls and how they feel, so if any new lumps appear or you feel a change in thickness in one area compared to the rest, you’ll notice.
Some discomfort in and around the breast area may be nothing to worry about, especially during your period. Be aware of any unusual or unexplained pain in your boob or armpit that becomes more or less constant over time.
It’s not all about feeling around, make sure you’re looking for any difference in appearance too. Dimpling of the skin can look similar to an orange peel.
A lot of women naturally have one boob that’s bigger than the other, or experience their boobs change in size gradually as they get older. Most of these changes can be totally normal, but if you notice a sudden, unusual change in the size or shape of the breast, it’s best to get it checked out.
Keep an eye out for any liquid that comes out the nipple without squeezing it.
There are lots of reasons why your skin could become irritated, especially if you’re breast feeding. However, if there’s any abnormal redness, a rash on the skin or on/around the nipple, or crusting of the nipple, get it checked out by your doctor just to be safe.
This is when your nipple is pulled into the boob (some nips naturally sit like this and it can be totally normal). Look out for a sudden change in the position or shape.
Don’t pay all your attention to just the breast area, check your upper chest and armpit too as they also contain some breast tissue.
If you have any concerns or would like more information on breast cancer, head to
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