Being “breast aware” means getting to know your breasts; how they look and what they normally feel like.

Breast cancers produce few warning signs and hardly ever cause pain. There may sometimes be a vague discomfort, but commonly the first thing people notice is an abnormal lump in their breast. Nevertheless, there are other possible signs, and these should be known and looked for. They are:

1. A change in the outline, shape or size of the breast

2. A new isolated lump

3. Any difference between the 'lumpiness' in the two breasts found early in the menstrual cycle and still there at the end of the cycle

4. Skin dimpling that changes the appearance of the surface of the breast

5. In-drawing of the nipple, or alteration in its direction

6. Discharge from the nipple for no apparent reason

7. Bleeding from the nipple

8. Distortion of the area around the nipple (areola)

9. An 'orange-skin' appearance of the breast skin (not the colour, but the little dimples)

10. Alteration in the position or 'hang' of the breast compared to the other breast

11. Rubbery, firm, easily felt lumps or glands (lymph nodes) in the armpit

12. If you notice anything unusual or are worried, go to your GP

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