Breast Cancer: Knowing What's Normal for You Could Save Your Life

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Pink ribbons are everywhere. But behind the campaigns is a much more personal question: would you recognise a change in your own breasts or chest?

There is no single way a breast should look or feel. Bodies vary. Breasts may change with your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, age and menopause. The important thing is learning what’s usual for you — so you notice when something is different.

It’s not always a lump

A new lump in the breast or armpit is one possible sign, but it isn’t the only one. Changes worth getting checked include:

• new swelling or thickening in the breast, chest or armpit;
• a change in breast size or shape that isn’t usual for you;
• skin dimpling, puckering or a change in colour;
• a nipple that has newly turned inwards, or a persistent rash or change around it;
• nipple discharge when you aren’t pregnant or breastfeeding, particularly if it contains blood;
• breast or armpit pain that doesn’t go away.

Many changes are not caused by cancer. But you cannot reliably tell which are harmless just by looking or feeling. Please make an appointment with a GP or appropriate clinician if something is new or unusual for you. You do not need to wait for a routine screening invitation.

A simple monthly habit

The NHS suggests checking your breasts or chest around once a month. Look in a mirror, with your arms down and raised. Feel across each breast or side of your chest, up towards the collarbone and into each armpit, using gentle and firmer pressure without causing pain. Notice the nipples too.

You don’t need to perform a perfect examination. The point is familiarity, not a test you can pass or fail. And self-checking is not a replacement for recommended screening.

If you’re worried about an appointment

It can be hard to explain a change when you’re frightened, especially in a short consultation. Before you go, note:

1. What changed — a lump, skin change, pain, discharge or something else?
2. When did you first notice it? Has it changed since?
3. Is it on one side or both? Does it come and go?
4. Have you had previous breast concerns, tests or relevant family history?
5. What do you want to understand before leaving — examination, referral, next steps or safety-netting?

A GP may examine your breasts and, if needed, refer you to a breast clinic. Investigations can include a mammogram, ultrasound or biopsy; a referral does not mean you have cancer.

You deserve an explanation

If you’re told a change is nothing to worry about but it continues or gets worse, ask what should happen next and when to come back. You should never feel embarrassed for asking about your own body.

How SIS can help: SIS lets you record a change in your own words, keep relevant appointments and questions together, and prepare a clear summary for your clinician. SIS does not detect breast cancer or diagnose symptoms; it helps you be heard.

Remember: Awareness is not about living in fear. It’s about knowing your normal — and knowing that a new change deserves attention.

Further reading

• NHS — How to check your breasts or chest
• NHS — Symptoms of breast cancer in women
• NHS — Tests and next steps
• Breast Cancer Now — Breast Cancer Awareness Month

General educational information, updated 27 October 2026. Not individual medical advice. Seek prompt medical assessment of new or unusual breast changes.