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  2. Health and wellbeing
  3. Living well
  4. Screening
  5. Breast screening

Being breast aware and self-examination

It's important to be "breast aware" and check your breasts regularly for changes. This is so you can identify any problems in your breasts. Any unusual changes to your breasts should be checked by your GP as soon as possible.

Coronavirus (COVID-10): impact on the breast cancer screening programme

Due to measures in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the number of women the programme can currently screen is reduced due to the need for social distancing and appropriate infection control measures.

This has led to a backlog of women awaiting screening. 

How to be breast aware

Breast awareness means knowing your breasts and being aware of what changes are normal for you.

You can become familiar with your breasts by regularly looking at, and feeling, them in any way that is best for you. Health professionals no longer recommend a set way to check your breasts. It’s important to feel all parts of your breasts including:

  • your nipples
  • in and around your armpits

Breast awareness five point code

  1. know what is normal for you
  2. know what changes to look and feel for
  3. look and feel
  4. report any changes to your GP immediately
  5. go for breast screening from the age of 50

If you're over 50 years old and have gone to your screening appointment, it will be three years until your next appointment.  In this three-year period it's important you are "breast aware" and are able to self-examine your breasts.

When to see your GP

It is important you see your GP as soon as possible if you notice a change in your breasts.

Finding a change in your breast can be a worry. 

Most changes are harmless but you should make an appointment to see your GP immediately.

Changes you should be looking for include:

  • changes in appearance, size or outline of either breast, especially those caused by arm movement
  • any puckering, dimpling or redness of the skin or veins that stand out more than usual
  • any lumps or thickening in either breast that feels different from the other breast
  • any swelling or lumps under your armpit or around your collarbone
  • changes to your nipples, including nipples that have become pulled in, changed shape or show signs of discharge, bleeding, rash or crusted, flaky skin

More useful links

  • Breast screening leaflets
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Breast screening

  • Being breast aware and self-examination
  • Breast cancer in women
  • Breast screening - an overview
  • Breast screening - getting called back after a mammogram
  • Breast screening process and getting your results

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