World Breast Cancer Day October 19: early signs to watch for and self-exam tips

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime

Raising awareness of breast cancer during October has become a massive movement worldwide, with towns and cities across Spain turning pink to support patients and survivors whilst pressing home the importance of regular screening. 

While there has been downturn in breast cancer incidence amongst women aged 45 and over in Spain over the last 30 years, attributed in the main to screening saturation, one in eight women will develop this particular form of cancer during their lifetime.

Breast cancer is rare in men, but Cancer Research UK data shows cases in males still account for around one per cent of patients diagnosed each year.

According to a recent study 'Breast cancer incidence in Spain before, during and after the implementation of screening programmes' published by the National Library of Medicine, with early detection, the five-year survival rate is almost 100%.

However, breast cancer remains the most common type of cancer amongst women around the world.

In 2020, an estimated 2,261,419 new breast cancer cases were diagnosed in women globally, according to World Health Organisation data. Of those, 685,000 people died from the disease.

All health experts are in agreement that self-examinations are crucial for early detection, and everyone, including men, should perform a breast self-examination (BSE) at least once a month from the age of 18.

This method of detection is extremely useful, and the first step before medical intervention, such as mammograms, ultrasound scans or MRIs.

The Maurer Foundation specialises in breast health education, and offers the following breast exam tips:

• Do your BSE, five to seven days from the start of your monthly period.
• If you are pregnant, never had a period, no longer have periods or your period is irregular, choose a specific day each month to perform your self-check.
• This should not be performed in the shower or with lotion on your skin or fingers.
• If you find a lump or notice other unusual changes, don’t panic. About 80% of lumps found are not cancerous. However, you should see your doctor promptly for further evaluation.

Step-by-step guide on how to perform a BSE efficiently:

Visual examination

Stand in front of a mirror and, with straight shoulders, look closely at the size, shape and colour of your breasts in three different positions; from the left, right and facing forward. 

Look out for sudden changes in size, or a notable increase in the number of veins or patterns. Check for rash, redness, puckering, dimpling, or orange-peel-textured appearance and itching which is not relieved by creams or medication.

If you find any lumps or notice any unusual changes, consult your doctor.

If in the first visual examination you don't see any visible abnormality then you can do a more exhaustive observation. Raise your arms and place them intertwined behind your neck and repeat the previous steps. You can squeeze your nipples a little to check that no fluid is coming out. If there is any type of discharge, whether it is blood or clear, consult your doctor.

Physical exam

In this case you should lie down and place one hand, palm up, on your forehead or behind your head. Using the three middle fingers of your other hand, make small circular motions to inspect the breast, nipple and arm pit, from the outside inwards. Alter the pressure slightly so that you can feel all of the breast tissue.

It's worth remembering that there's no right or wrong way to check your breasts, and everyone is different in terms of size, shape and consistency.

Some women have tender and lumpy breasts, especially near the armpit, around the time of their period, and after menopause, normal breasts feel softer, less firm and not as lumpy.

It's also possible for one breast to be larger than the other, but it's important to know how your breasts usually look and feel. That way, you can spot any changes quickly and report them to a GP.

Image: Freepik