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 (National Health Service) 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 (JH) 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”.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

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 Things To Know About Breast Implants
  3. About Your Breasts
  4. About Your Breasts: Normal Breast Changes During Life
  5. About Your Breasts: When To See Your Doctor
  6. African American Women: “Take Action” Infographic African American Women: “Take Action” Infographic
  7. Aging Changes In the Breast
  8. Awareness Remains Low Over Alcohol and Breast Cancer Risk
  9. Bcna.org.au [Breast Cancer Network, Australia]
  10. Be Breast Aware
  11. Breast Awareness
  12. Breast Awareness: Know What To Look For
  13. Breast Awareness: Self Examination
  14. Breast Cancer
  15. Breast Cancer Awareness
  16. Breast Cancer Awareness
  17. Breast Cancer Awareness Month [Australia]
  18. Breast Cancer Awareness Month [United States]
  19. Breast Cancer Awareness [+ Video: What Does It Mean To Have Dense Breasts?]
  20. Breast Cancer Awareness [+ Video: When Should I Start Getting Mammograms?]
  21. Breast Cancer In Women
  22. Breast Cancer Risk Factors
  23. Breast Cancer Screening
  24. Breast Cancer: Breast Cancer Awareness
  25. Breast Changes and Conditions
  26. Breast Changes and Conditions: Talk With Your Health Care Provider About Breast Changes
  27. Breast Checks
  28. Breast Diseases
  29. Breast Health
  30. Breast Health & Awareness
  31. Breast Health: Normal Breast Changes During Life
  32. Breast Health: What’s Normal and What Changes To Look For
  33. Breast Implants
  34. Breast Implants: Do They Interfere With Mammograms?
  35. Breast Implants: Saline vs. Silicone
  36. Breast Lumps
  37. Breast Lumps
  38. Breast Lumps: When To See A Doctor
  39. Breast Pain
  40. Breast Pain
  41. Breast Pain
  42. Breast Problems That Aren’t Breast Cancer eBook
  43. Breast Self-Exam for Breast Awareness
  44. Breastcancer.org
  45. Breastcancer.org: Research News
  46. Breastcancercare.org.uk
  47. Breastcancerriskfactors.gov.au
  48. Cancer Prevention and Control: Breast Awareness
  49. Cancer: Breast Cancer Awareness Month In October
  50. Checking Your Breasts
  51. Common Breast Conditions
  52. Common Breast Conditions: How To Relieve Breast Tenderness or Pain
  53. Consumer Health: Breast Implants and Cancer Risk
  54. CoppaFeel’s Boob Check Basics
  55. Coppafeel.org [CoppaFeel! United Kingdom]
  56. Cosmetic Procedures: Breast Enlargement (Implants)
  57. Dense Breast Tissue: What It Means To Have Dense Breasts
  58. Dense Breasts
  59. Dense Breasts – Medical Observer
  60. Diez Datos Importantes Sobre las Mamografías
  61. Does Breast or Ovarian Cancer Run In Your Family?
  62. Exercise: How A Well-Fitted Sports Bra Can Reduce Breast Pain
  63. Expert Alert: Awareness Key To Recognizing Breast Cancer Symptoms
  64. Fibrocystic Breast Changes: Linked To Breast Cancer?
  65. Fibrocystic Breasts
  66. Find It Early and Survive
  67. Five Ways To Reduce Your Breast Cancer Risk
  68. Genetic Testing To Learn about Your Risk of Breast and Ovarian Cancer: Questions for the Doctor
  69. Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer [Video]
  70. Get To Know Your Boobs
  71. Healthy Body: Breast Changes In Older Women
  72. If Silicone Breast Implants Rupture, What Are the Possible Complications?
  73. Infographic: Breast Cancer Risk
  74. Is There Any Connection Between Breast Implants and Cancer? And If So, How Serious Is the Risk?
  75. Mayo Clinic Expert Answers Questions About Breast Cancer Screening, Levels of Risk and Latest In Imaging [+ Video Courtesy: Saranya Chumsri, M.D. / Medical Oncology / Mayo Clinic]
  76. Mayo Clinic Minute: Don’t Delay Mammograms, Other Breast Cancer Screening [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  77. Mayo Clinic Minute: What Does It Mean If You Have Dense Breasts? [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  78. Mayo Clinic Minute: What Is Molecular Breast Imaging and Who Needs It? [+ Video]
  79. Mayo Clinic Q&A Podcast: Different Options for Breast Cancer Screening
  80. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Genetic Abnormalities and Cancer Risk
  81. 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…
  82. Myths About Breast Cancer
  83. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Evening Primrose Oil
  84. Nationalbreastcancer.org [National Breast Cancer Foundation, United States]
  85. Non-Cancerous Breast Conditions
  86. P.O.W.E.R. of Sure [Black Women’s Heath Imperative, United States] P.O.W.E.R. of Sure
  87. P.O.W.E.R. of Sure: Owning Your Health Journey With Intention & Purpose – October 13th at 7pm [Black Women’s Heath Imperative, United States] Owning Your Health Journey
  88. Predictive Genetic Tests for Cancer Risk Genes
  89. Reducing Your Risk
  90. Risk Factors
  91. Significado De Los Cambios En Los Senos: Guía Para La Salud De La Mujer
  92. Statement on the Agency’s Continued Efforts To Protect Women’s Health and Enhance Safety Information Available To Patients Considering Beast Implants [Food and Drug Administration, United States]
  93. Understanding Breast Changes and Conditions: A Health Guide for Women – Breast Changes
  94. Understanding Breast Changes and Conditions: About Breast Changes
  95. Weight Loss Linked To Lower Chance of Getting Breast Cancer for Women Over 50
  96. What Would You Tell Your Patients About Drinking Alcohol?
  97. Why Check Your Boobs?
  98. Women’s Wellness: Confused and Feeling Lost After Breast Cancer Diagnosis
  99. World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research: Breast Cancer – How Diet, Nutrition and Physical Activity Affect Breast Cancer Risk

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://breast-cancer.canceraustralia.gov.au/awareness Accessed: 21 December 2020
  2. Breast Cancer: Breast Cancer Awareness – Breast Awareness. Updated: 20 October 2020. Cancer Australia https://breast-cancer.canceraustralia.gov.au/awareness Accessed: 21 December 2020
  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: 21 December 2020
  4. Aging Changes In the Breast. Review Date: 12 July 2018. Page Last Updated: 03 December 2020. MedlinePlus https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003999.htm Accessed: 21 December 2020
  5. Healthy Body: Breast Changes In Older Women. Page Last Reviewed: 03 July 2018. NHS (National Health Service) https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/breast-changes-in-older-women/ Accessed: 21 December 2020
  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: 21 December 2020
  7. Aging Changes In the Breast. Review Date: 12 July 2018. Page Last Updated: 03 December 2020. MedlinePlus https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003999.htm Accessed: 21 December 2020
  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: 21 December 2020
  9. Breast Cancer: Breast Cancer Awareness – Breast Awareness. Updated: 20 October 2020. Cancer Australia https://breast-cancer.canceraustralia.gov.au/awareness Accessed: 21 December 2020

Topic Last Updated: 19 January 2021 – Topic Last Reviewed: 21 December 2020
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