Being breast-aware is important for people with breasts of all ages. It’s never too early to get into the habit of checking your breasts for changes and understanding what these might mean. It’s a normal part of life!

Most breast changes are not due to breast cancer and are usually linked to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, cysts, and other non-cancerous lumps. 

For young women and people with breasts going through puberty, frequent changes in the breasts are normal as they are still developing. While changes in your breasts are usually not a cause for concern, being aware of these changes is important for your breast health and for your own peace of mind.

Breast cancer risks

Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer in Australian women. One in eight women will develop cancer by the age of 85. Older women are most at risk of developing breast cancer with 75% of all breast cancers in Australia occurring in women over the age of 50. 

Some other risk factors for developing breast cancer include: 

• Family history 
• Inheritance of mutations in certain genes
• Exposure to female hormones
• Obesity and excess alcohol consumption 

Early detection of breast cancer means that women have a much greater chance of being treated successfully and in most cases, the cancer will not come back after treatment.

Get to know your body

While younger people don’t face a high risk of developing breast cancer, the Cancer Council Australia recommends that people with breasts of all ages should be familiar with the normal look and feel of their breasts.

You don’t need to use a special technique or be an expert to check your breasts. The important thing is that you take the time to get to know the normal look and feel of your breasts. This includes being aware of the usual changes you might experience during the menstrual cycle for example: a lot of people’s breasts tend to be more swollen and tender around the time of their period).

The best way of understanding your breasts and picking up on any changes is by making checking your breasts a normal part of your daily routine. This can be as simple as getting to know the feel and look of your breasts during everyday activities like showering, dressing, applying moisturiser or just looking in the mirror.

For steps on how to carry out a breast self-exam, take a look at this simple guide and video. You can also check out the Know Your Lemons app and this Cancer Australia initiative for more info on how to check your breasts and look for changes.

What to look out for

Changes to look out for include:

• An unfamiliar lump, lumpiness or thickening of the breast
• Changes in the skins of one or both breasts (it might look like redness, a rash, dimpling or puckering in the skin)
• Pain in the breast that is unusual and doesn’t go away
• A change in the shape or size of the breast that seems abnormal
• Discharge from the nipple, a rash on the nipple or changes in the shape of the nipple

Remember, as your breasts are developing and you’re experiencing puberty, changes in the size and shape of the breasts are normal and usually nothing to be worried about. However, if you notice any of these changes listed above, you should have a chat with your doctor about them.

What is a mammogram?

A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray of the breasts used to detect cancer at an early stage before symptoms appear. Screening mammograms are recommended for people with breasts over the age of 50 as an effective way of detecting early signs of breast cancer in older folk. 

Mammograms are not recommended for people under the age of 40, as it is not considered to be an effective way of detecting early signs of breast cancer in younger folk. This is because young people’s breasts are denser and appear like white cotton wool on a mammogram, making it very difficult to see any signs of breast cancer in the screening.

What else can I do to reduce my risk of getting breast cancer?

There is no proven way to prevent breast cancer from occurring. However, the Cancer Council Australia recommends that people who want to reduce their cancer risk should:

• Stop smoking
• Maintain a healthy body and nutritious diet
• Be physically active on most days
• Limit your intake of alcohol