Breast Awareness

“Breast awareness is important for women of all ages,even if you’re having regular mammograms… Take the time to get to know the normal look and feel of your breasts…”.1

Umbrella
What may the Breast Awareness Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Breast Awareness
  • Breast Cancer Awareness
  • Breast Health
  • Breast Self-Exam
  • Breast Self-Examination

Breast Awareness

What is a breast awareness?

DotS the definition of breast awareness may vary. In Breast Cancer: Breast Cancer Awareness Cancer Australia’s definition is:

“Breast awareness is important for women of all ages, even if you’re having regular mammograms.

You don’t need to be an expert or use a special technique to check your breasts. Take the time to get to know the normal look and feel of your breasts as part of everyday activities like showering, dressing, putting on body lotion or simply looking in the mirror. Knowing what is normal for you will help you to detect any new breast or nipple changes”.2

Breast Self-Exam

What is a breast self-exam?

DotS the definition of a breast self-exam may vary. In Breast Self-Exam for Breast Awareness: About – Overview the (United States) Mayo Clinic’s elaborate on:

“A breast self-exam for breast awareness is an inspection of your breasts that you do on your own. To help increase your breast awareness, you use your eyes and hands to determine if there are any changes to the look and feel of your breasts”.3

Aging

Is there an association between aging and breast changes?

In Aging Changes In the Breast the (United States) MedlinePlus elaborate on:

“With age, a woman’s breasts lose fat, tissue, and mammary glands. Many of these changes are due to the decrease in the body’s production of estrogen that occurs at menopause. Without estrogen, the gland tissue shrinks, making the breasts smaller and less full. The connective tissue that supports the breasts becomes less elastic, so the breasts sag.

Changes also occur in the nipple. The area surrounding the nipple (the areola) becomes smaller and may nearly disappear. The nipple may also turn in slightly”.4

In Healthy Body: Breast Changes In Older Women the (United Kingdom) NHS elaborate on:

“As you get older, it’s natural for your breasts to lose their firmness, change shape, shrink in size and become more prone to certain abnormal lumps.

In most cases, breast lumps are harmless, but whatever your age, it’s important that you report any new lumps to your doctor”.5

Menopause

Is there an association between menopause and breast changes?

On page one in Breast Health: Normal Breast Changes During Life the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health elaborate on:

Breast Awareness

“In the years close to menopause, changes in hormone levels can increase breast pain, and the fibrous tissue is replaced by fatty tissue. It is quite common for breasts to be lumpy or have benign (non-cancerous) nodules”.6

In Aging Changes In the Breast the MedlinePlus note:

“Lumps are common around the time of menopause. These are often noncancerous cysts. However, if you notice a lump, make an appointment with your health care provider, because breast cancer risk increases with age. Women should be aware of the benefits and limitations of breast self-exams. These exams do not always pick up early stages of breast cancer. Women should talk to their providers about mammograms to screen for breast cancer”.7

Menopausal Hormone Therapy

Is there an association between menopausal hormone therapy and dense breasts?

In Breast Changes and Conditions: Breast Changes During Your Lifetime That Are Not Cancer the (United States) National Cancer Institute clarify:

  • “If you are taking hormones (such as menopausal hormone therapy, birth control pills, or injections) your breasts may become more dense. This can make a mammogram harder to interpret. Be sure to let your health care provider know if you are taking hormones”.8

Health Care Provider

What are changes to look for?

In Breast Cancer: Breast Cancer Awareness – Breast Awareness Cancer Australia explain:

“Breast changes to look for include:

  • A new lump or lumpiness, especially if it’s only in one breast
  • A change in the size or shape of the breast
  • A change to the nipple, such as crusting, ulcer, redness or inversion
  • A nipple discharge that occurs without squeezing
  • A change in the skin of the breast such as redness or dimpling
  • An unusual pain that doesn’t go away.

Nine out of ten breast changes aren’t due to cancer, but it’s important to see a doctor to be sure. If you find a breast change that is unusual for you, see your GP without delay”.9

In Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Participation In the NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) the (British) Women’s Health Concern encourage us to get checked, any changes we notice:

  • “As cancers can develop between screening mammograms or be missed by a screening mammogram, it is still important to be breast aware and report any new breast symptoms or signs to your GP. Do not wait until the next scheduled mammogram to check these out”.10

Who is a GP?

DotS and/or DotC (Depending on the Country) a GP may be a qualified and registered general practitioner, a medical practitioner, a medical doctor or a doctor.

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Breast Awareness?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Breast Awareness?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

  1. 10 Important Things To Know About Mammograms
  2. 5 Ways To Boost Breast Health
  3. About Your Breasts
  4. About Your Breasts: Normal Breast Changes During Life
  5. About Your Breasts: When To See Your Doctor
  6. Aging Changes In the Breast
  7. Awareness Remains Low Over Alcohol and Breast Cancer Risk
  8. Be Breast Aware
  9. Boob Check Basics [+ Video: Hand Meet Boob. Get the Low Down on Checking Your Chest]
  10. Breast Awareness
  11. Breast Awareness: Know What To Look For
  12. Breast Awareness: Self Examination
  13. Breast Cancer
  14. Breast Cancer
  15. Breast Cancer Awareness
  16. Breast Cancer Awareness Month [Australia]
  17. Breast Cancer Awareness Month [United Kingdom]
  18. Breast Cancer Awareness Month [United States]
  19. Breast Cancer Awareness [+ Video: When Should I Start Getting Mammograms?]
  20. Breast Cancer In Women
  21. Breast Cancer Risk Factors
  22. Breast Cancer Screening
  23. Breast Cancer Symptoms
  24. Breast Cancer: Breast Cancer Awareness
  25. Breast Cancer: Information In Other Languages
  26. Breast Cancer: What Does It Mean To Have Dense Breasts?
  27. Breast Cancer: What Is A Mammogram?
  28. Breast Cancer: What You Can Do
  29. Breast Changes and Conditions
  30. Breast Changes and Conditions: Breast Changes During Your Lifetime That Are Not Cancer
  31. Breast Changes and Conditions: Talk With Your Health Care Provider About Breast Changes
  32. Breast Checks
  33. Breast Diseases
  34. Breast Enlargement (Implants)
  35. Breast Health
  36. Breast Health & Awareness
  37. Breast Health: What’s Normal and What Changes To Look For
  38. Breast Implants
  39. Breast Implants: Do They Interfere With Mammograms?
  40. Breast Implants: Saline vs. Silicone
  41. Breast Lump: Early Evaluation Is Essential
  42. Breast Lumps
  43. Breast Lumps
  44. Breast Lumps and Benign (Not Cancer) Breast Conditions
  45. Breast Lumps: When To See A Doctor
  46. Breast Pain
  47. Breast Pain
  48. Breast Pain
  49. Breast Pain
  50. Breast Problems That Aren’t Breast Cancer eBook
  51. Breast Rashes
  52. Breast Self-Exam
  53. Breast Self-Exam
  54. Breast Self-Exam for Breast Awareness
  55. Breastcancer.org
  56. Breastcancercare.org.uk
  57. Common Breast Conditions
  58. Common Breast Conditions: How To Relieve Breast Tenderness or Pain
  59. Consumer Health: Are You Due for A Mammogram?
  60. Consumer Health: Breast Implants and Cancer Risk
  61. Coppafeel.org [CoppaFeel! United Kingdom]
  62. Dense Breast Tissue: What It Means To Have Dense Breasts
  63. Dense Breasts
  64. Diagnosing Breast Conditions
  65. Does Breast or Ovarian Cancer Run In Your Family?
  66. Expert Alert: Awareness Key To Recognizing Breast Cancer Symptoms
  67. Familial Breast Cancer
  68. Fibrocystic Breast Changes: Linked To Breast Cancer?
  69. Fibrocystic Breasts
  70. Find It Early and Survive
  71. Five Ways To Reduce Your Breast Cancer Risk
  72. Genetic Testing To Learn about Your Risk of Breast and Ovarian Cancer: Questions for the Doctor
  73. Get To Know Your Boobs
  74. Healthy Body: Breast Changes In Older Women
  75. How Should I Check My Breasts?
  76. If Silicone Breast Implants Rupture, What Are the Possible Complications?
  77. Infographic: Breast Cancer Risk – Tailoring Breast Cancer Screening To Each Woman’s Risk
  78. Is There Any Connection Between Breast Implants and Cancer? And If So, How Serious Is the Risk?
  79. Mayo Clinic Expert Answers Questions About Breast Cancer Screening, Levels of Risk and Latest In Imaging [+ Video]
  80. Mayo Clinic Minute: Determining If You Have Dense Breasts [19 October 2021] [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  81. Mayo Clinic Minute: Don’t Delay Mammograms, Other Breast Cancer Screening [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  82. Mayo Clinic Minute: What Is Molecular Breast Imaging and Who Needs It? [+ Video]
  83. Mayo Clinic Minute: Why Breast Cancer Screening Is Important [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  84. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Family Health History Information: DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My grandmother died of breast cancer at 70. My first cousin was recently diagnosed at 35…
  85. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Genetic Abnormalities and Cancer Risk
  86. Mayo Clinic Q&A Podcast: Different Options for Breast Cancer Screening
  87. Mayo Clinic Researchers Advocate New Approach To Breast Cancer Prevention
  88. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Evening Primrose Oil
  89. Nationalbreastcancer.org [National Breast Cancer Foundation, United States]
  90. Non-Cancerous Breast Conditions
  91. P.O.W.E.R. of Sure [Black Women’s Heath Imperative, United States] P.O.W.E.R. of Sure
  92. Predictive Genetic Tests for Cancer Risk Genes
  93. Reducing Your Risk
  94. Resources for Trans and Non-Binary People
  95. Risk Factors
  96. Significado De Los Cambios En Los Senos: Guía Para La Salud De La Mujer
  97. The Self-Checkout
  98. What To Know About Breast Implants
  99. Why Check Your Boobs?
  100. Who Is At High Risk for Breast Cancer? [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Breast Cancer: Breast Cancer Awareness – Breast Awareness. Updated: 20 October 2020. Cancer Australia https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/breast-cancer/awareness/breast-cancer-awareness Accessed: 25 August 2021
  2. Breast Cancer: Breast Cancer Awareness – Breast Awareness. Updated: 20 October 2020. Cancer Australia https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/breast-cancer/awareness/breast-cancer-awareness Accessed: 25 August 2021
  3. Breast Self-Exam for Breast Awareness: About – Overview. 09 June 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/breast-exam/basics/definition/PRC-20020418 Accessed: 25 August 2021
  4. Aging Changes In the Breast. Review Date: 19 July 2020. Page Last Updated: 05 August 2021. MedlinePlus https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003999.htm Accessed: 25 August 2021
  5. Healthy Body: Breast Changes In Older Women. Page Last Reviewed: 03 July 2018. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/breast-changes-in-older-women/ Accessed: 25 August 2021
  6. Breast Health: Normal Breast Changes During Life. Updated October 2018:1. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/contents/documents/Resources/Fact_sheets/Breast_health.pdf Accessed: 25 August 2021
  7. Aging Changes In the Breast. Review Date: 19 July 2020. Page Last Updated: 05 August 2021. MedlinePlus https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003999.htm Accessed: 25 August 2021
  8. Breast Changes and Conditions: Breast Changes During Your Lifetime That Are Not Cancer. Updated: 18 October 2018. National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/breast-changes Accessed: 25 August 2021
  9. Breast Cancer: Breast Cancer Awareness – Breast Awareness. Updated: 20 October 2020. Cancer Australia https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/breast-cancer/awareness/breast-cancer-awareness Accessed: 25 August 2021
  10. Diagnosing Breast Conditions: Participation In the NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP). Updated Date: 20 April 2021. Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/diagnosing-breast-conditions/ Accessed: 25 August 2021

Topic Last Updated: 20 October 2021 – Topic Last Reviewed: 25 August 2021
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