The Change & Check campaign sees stickers displaying the signs and symptoms of breast cancer in changing rooms across New Zealand.
Sarah Gandy from our More FM Drive Show, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 36 and is a proud BCFNZ Ambassador. Sarah said “This project is all about getting women thinking and checking their boobs at a time that works for them. We all know the signs of a cold. How great would it be if women had that same level of knowledge about what their boobs are telling them? My own case shows that breast cancer can happen to younger women, so we all need to pay attention. Saving your life can be as easy as checking your breasts in the time it takes to get changed.”
How to check your breasts- Touch, Look, Get Checked
TOUCH
Touch is about using your hands to feel for changes that aren’t normal for you. This may be a lump, thickened area, or anything that feels totally different from any other area in your breasts.
Standing or sitting
You can touch your breasts in a number of positions, wherever or whenever it suits.
It may be easier to check your breasts while you’re in the shower or bath, as your hands are wet. This makes it easier to slide your hand over your breasts.
An easy way to check your breasts is to:
Raise one arm above your head.
With the flat of your fingers press into your breast, feeling for any changes, softly at first and then more firmly.
Check the entire breast area, from your collarbone to under your breast, and from the side of your breast up into your armpit. A good way to do this is to move your hands over your breasts, in an up and down or in a circular motion. This is an easy way to make sure you’ve checked the whole area.
Repeat on the other breast
Lying Down
If you have larger breasts, it may be easier to check when you’re lying down so your breast tissue is flatter.
Place a folded towel underneath one shoulder and put your arm above your head.
Using your other hand, check all over your breast, including the nipple, up to the collarbone and under your arm. Swap the towel to your other shoulder and repeat on the other side.
LOOK
This is a very important part of TLC, as some breast cancers are detected by visual changes to your breast or nipples. Be aware of any discharge coming from the nipple (without squeezing).
With your hands on your hips, look at your breasts in a mirror. Notice their shape, colour and size. Then raise your arms above your head to check underneath the breast.
Check out Breast Cancer Foundation NZ for a simple video guide of how to check your breasts here
GET CHECKED
It can be scary to find a change that doesn’t feel or look normal, but it’s important to get any concerning signs checked out by your GP, even if you’ve had a mammogram recently.
Most breast changes aren’t caused by cancer but check with your doctor to be sure. If you’ve had a breast change checked out by your GP and they aren’t concerned but it continues to grow or change, it’s important to go back and have it checked again or seek a second opinion.
If you’re not sure about talking to your GP, tell someone you trust and they can support you to see your GP. Breast Cancer Foundation New Zealand has nurses available who can give you free advice. Get in touch at 0800 226 8773 or email breastnurses@bcf.org.nz
Click HERE to donate to Breast Cancer Foundation NZ. Your donation will help fund breast health and early detection programmes; help our hospitals get access to the latest technologies and equipment and train our doctors and nurses to use them; fund ongoing research and fellowships and support breast cancer patients and their families.
All resources and information kindly supplied by _Breast Cancer Foundation NZ