The key is early detection
The key is early detection
Checking your breasts is all about getting to know what your breasts normally look and feel like.
There’s no ‘right’ way to check your breasts. It’s just important to know your normal and check regularly for any unusual changes. The best time to do a self-check is usually the week after your period, when your breasts aren’t as tender or lumpy.
The 5 year survival rate for women with early stage breast cancer in New Zealand is 91% which makes awareness early detection through self-check absolutely vital.
Follow the below steps to do your own self-check and put your health first. If you’ve found something that doesn’t seem normal, it’s important to consult your doctor.
Checking your breasts is all about getting to know what your breasts normally look and feel like.
There’s no ‘right’ way to check your breasts. It’s just important to know your normal and check regularly for any unusual changes. The best time to do a self-check is usually the week after your period, when your breasts aren’t as tender or lumpy.
The 5 year survival rate for women with early stage breast cancer in New Zealand is 91% which makes awareness early detection through self-check absolutely vital.
Follow the below steps to do your own self-check and put your health first. If you’ve found something that doesn’t seem normal, it’s important to consult your doctor.
Check By Touching
![Step one: how to self check for breast cancer](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0069/7348/9222/files/BreastCancer_Touch_1-01.png?v=1726456399")
1. Raise one arm above your head.
2. Press into your breast with your fingertips, feeling for any changes.
3. Check the entire breast area, moving in a circular motion.
4. Repeat, moving up and down.
Check By Looking
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, like a girlfriend or your mum. They can support you to see your GP. BCFNZ also has nurses available, who can give you free advice. Get in touch at 0800 226 8773 or breastnurse@bcf.org.nz.
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, like a girlfriend or your mum. They can support you to see your GP. BCFNZ also has nurses available, who can give you free advice. Get in touch at 0800 226 8773 or breastnurse@bcf.org.nz.
