“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…”.1

Umbrella

What may the Breast Cancer 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 a check of your breasts that you do on your own. To help increase your breast awareness, you use your eyes and hands to learn 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

Menopause

Is there an association between menopause and breast changes?

In Breast Health: Follow-Up After An Abnormal Mammogram: Breast Lumps and Changes During Your Lifetime the (United States) National Cancer Institute (NCI) explain:

  • “As you approach menopause, your hormone levels change. This can make your breasts feel tender, even when you are not having your period. Your breasts may also feel lumpier during menopause than they did before”.5

In Aging Changes In the Breast the MedlinePlus note:


Breast Cancer Awareness“Breast lumps are common around the time of menopause. These are usually 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 regular physical examinations and mammogram to screen for breast cancer”.6

Menopausal Hormone Therapy

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

In Breast Health: Follow-Up After An Abnormal Mammogram: Breast Lumps and Changes During Your Lifetime the NCI clarify:

  • “If you are taking hormones (such as hormone replacement therapy, birth control pills, or injections), your breasts may become more dense. This can make a mammogram more difficult to interpret”.7

Health Care Provider

What are changes to look for?

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

“Breast changes to look out 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”.8

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 A-Z related to Breast Cancer Awareness?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Links

Where may I find Links related to Breast Cancer Awareness?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

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: 06 July 2023. Cancer Australia https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/breast-cancer/awareness/breast-cancer-awareness Accessed: 01 October 2024
  2. Breast Cancer: Breast Cancer Awareness – Breast Awareness. Updated: 06 July 2023. Cancer Australia https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/breast-cancer/awareness/breast-cancer-awareness Accessed: 01 October 2024
  3. Breast Self-Exam for Breast Awareness: About – Overview. 24 July 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/breast-exam/basics/definition/PRC-20020418 Accessed: 01 October 2024
  4. Aging Changes In the Breast. Review Date: 21 July 2022. MedlinePlus https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003999.htm Accessed: 01 October 2024
  5. Breast Health: Follow-Up After An Abnormal Mammogram: Breast Lumps and Changes During Your Lifetime. Updated: 02 March 2023. National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/breast-changes Accessed: 01 October 2024
  6. Aging Changes In the Breast. Review Date: 21 July 2022. MedlinePlus https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003999.htm Accessed: 01 October 2024
  7. Breast Health: Follow-Up After An Abnormal Mammogram: Breast Lumps and Changes During Your Lifetime. Updated: 02 March 2023. National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/breast-changes Accessed: 01 October 2024
  8. Breast Cancer: Breast Cancer Awareness – Breast Awareness. Updated: 06 July 2023. Cancer Australia https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/breast-cancer/awareness/breast-cancer-awareness Accessed: 01 October 2024
Topic Last Updated: 01 October 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 01 October 2024