As we start a fresh year, can we ask that if you don’t already regularly check your breasts, you make this your year to be more breast aware.

With breast cancer now affecting every 1 in 7 women, it’s time to pay more attention to your breasts and the areas around them.

Know your body and look out for changes. There are many symptoms and signs of breast cancer, everyone is different so if something doesn’t look or feel right, get it checked out.

Here are just some of the signs of breast cancer: 

• A lump or swelling in the breast, upper chest, or armpit

• A change to the skin, such as puckering or dimpling

• A change in the colour of the breast – the breast may look red or inflamed

• A nipple change, for example, has become inverted

• A rash or crusting around the nipple

• An unusual liquid (discharge) from either nipple

• A change in size or shape of the breast.

Most often a breast change isn’t cancer but if it is then the sooner it is found, the more successful treatment is likely to be. 

There’s no special, right, or wrong way to check your breasts, it’s as easy as TLC:

• Touch your breasts: can you feel anything new or unusual?

• Look for changes: does anything look different to you?

• Check any new or unusual changes with a GP.

Here are some quick Q & A’s for you:

What is breast cancer? Breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the breast tissue.

How does breast cancer start? Breast cancer starts when cells in the breast begin to divide and grow in an unusual and uncontrolled way.

Where does breast cancer start? Breast cancer can start in different parts of the breast. The most common type of breast cancer starts in the ducts. The ducts are tubes in the breast that carry breast milk to the nipple. Sometimes cancer can start in the lobules. The lobules are glands that produce milk for breastfeeding. 

Who does breast cancer affect? Anyone, no matter your age or gender, breast cancer can affect any of us.

How can being breast aware help? The earlier breast cancer is diagnosed, the better the chance of successful treatment. So, it's important to check your breasts regularly and see your GP if you notice a change.