Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK, with around one in seven women diagnosed with the disease during their lifetime.
Over 55,000 cases of breast cancer on average are diagnosed annually in the UK, with around 11,500 deaths each year - that's 32 each day, according to Cancer Research UK. Most people who are diagnosed with breast cancer are women over the age of 50, but it can also be found in younger women and, in rare cases, men can get it too.
With breast cancer being so common, it's vital to check your breasts regularly and be aware of the warning signs that mean you should make an appointment with your GP. The cancer can have several symptoms, but the first noticeable one is usually a lump or area of thickened breast tissue, the NHS advises.
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While most breast lumps are not cancerous, it's always best to have them checked out by a doctor. The health service says that you should also visit your GP if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- A change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- Discharge from either of your nipples, which may be streaked with blood
- A lump or swelling in either of your armpits
- Dimpling or puckering on the skin of your breasts
- A rash, crusting, scaly or itchy skin or redness on or around your nipple
- A change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
The NHS urges patients to be "breast aware" so that they can notice any of these changes as soon as possible. This means that it's important to know how your breasts usually look and feel at different times of the month, as every woman's breasts are different in terms of size, shape and consistency and you will know better than anyone what's out of the ordinary for you.
The NHS Breast Screening Programme has a five-point plan to help people be more "breast aware":
- Know what's normal for you
- Look at your breasts and feel them
- Know what changes to look for
- Report any changes to a GP without delay
- Attend routine screening if you're aged 50 to 70
You can check the appearance of your breasts for any changes by looking at them in the mirror, making sure to check them both when your arms are by your side and when they are raised. You can also feel each breast and armpit up to your collarbone for any new lumps or swellings - visit your GP if you notice anything during your checks that you're worried about.
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