Some sad news about Kerri-Anne Kennerley

What should women look out for?

Look for any changes in the breast which are not normal for you, or which you have not seen before. You should visit a GP if you notice any of the following important changes:

- Lump, lumpiness or thickening: for younger women, if it is not related to the normal monthly cycle and remains after their period and for women of all ages, if this is a new change in one breast only

- Changes to the nipple: such as a change in shape, crusting, a sore or ulcer, redness or indrawing of the nipple

- Discharge from the nipple: which is from one nipple and is bloodstained or occurs without squeezing

- Changes in the skin of the breast: such as any puckering or dimpling of the skin, unusual redness or other colour change

- Persistent unusual pain: which is not related to the normal monthly cycle, remains after their period and it occurs in one breast only

- A change in the shape or size of a breast: this might be either an increase or a decrease in size.

Knowing what is normal for you is just as important after menopause. Breast cancer becomes more common as you grow older, so knowing what is normal for your breasts is just as important after menopause.

Breast Cancer Australia recommends three simple steps for regular self examination:

Breast Cancer Australia recommends three simple steps for regular self examination:

LOOK

Look

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whilst standing in front of the mirror with shoulders back and hands on hips.

- Check for changes in size, shape and colour of both breasts.

- Note if there is any dimpling, puckering or bulging of skin.

- Be aware of whether the nipple has changed position or if it has inverted.

- Monitor for redness, soreness, rashes or swelling.

- It is also recommended to do this whilst the arms are raised in the air.

PRESS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apply minimal pressure with the thumb and forefinger to each nipple and check for discharge (milky, yellow fluid or blood).

FEEL

Feel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feel your breast while lying down, sitting, standing or in the shower.

- Use a method which you become familiar with and record your observations on a monthly basis.

- When checking the left breast use your right hand (right breast use your left hand) and work gently on the top layer and then a little firmer as you press deeper into the tissue with your middle three fingers feeling down to the ribcage.

-  Be sure to check all over your breast with a sequence you can remember. From the armpit to your cleavage, and from the top of the collarbone to top of your stomach.

- All the time feeling for irregular lumps, lumpiness or thickening particularly in one breast only.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Australia.

* One in nine women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.

* By 2015, 15,409 women are projected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia every year – an average of 42 women every day.

* Australian women diagnosed with breast cancer have an 88% chance of surviving 5 years after diagnosis relative to the general population of women in Australia.

* Improvements in survival are attributed to earlier detection of breast cancer through population-based mammography screening and improved treatment outcomes for breast cancer.

* Increasing age is one of the strongest risk factors for developing breast cancer. About three out of four breast cancer cases occur in women aged 50 years and older.

* On average, seven women die from breast cancer every day in Australia. Finding breast cancer early increases the chance of surviving the disease.