1. Look
Look out for:
- Changes in skin texture e.g. puckering or dimpling that might look like orange peel
- Any swelling in your armpit or around the collarbone
- A sudden change in size, outline or shape
Further info on chest-checking
More Checking Videos
Signs & Symptoms
Symptoms of breast cancer may include:
Skin changes such as puckering and dimpling.
Puckering or dimpling of the skin can look similar to orange peel.
Unusual lump or swelling in your armpit, or around your collarbone.
It is important to check your upper chest and armpits as well. These areas can also be affected by breast cancer.
Unusual lumps and thickening.
If you get to know how your chest feels normally, it will be easier to notice any unusual changes. These might be new lumps or one part of your chest starting to feel thicker than the rest.
Liquid coming from your nipple.
This is liquid that comes from your nipple without you squeezing it.
A sudden, unusual change in size or shape.
Many people naturally have one breast or pec bigger than the other. Breasts or pecs can also gradually change as you get older. Many changes are perfectly normal. But if you notice a sudden, unusual change in size or shape, see your GP as soon as possible.
Nipple is pulled inwards or changes in direction.
It is important to pay special attention to your nipple during your monthly checks. Look to see if your nipple has become pulled into your breast or pec, or looks different to usual. This could be a change in its position or shape.
A rash or crusting on or around your nipple
There are lots of reasons why your skin could become irritated, especially if you are breastfeeding. Get it checked out if you notice a change in colour*, a rash or crusting on or around your nipple.
* Your skin tone may make a difference to how this looks.
On Black skin, the area may go darker than the surrounding area. You may notice small spots in the area, sometimes you can notice changes in colour such as purple, yellow or grey.
On brown skin tones, redness may be more maroon (brownish-red) and the area may go darker than the surrounding area. On white skin this may look pink or red.
Constant, unusual pain in your breast or pec, or armpit.
Some pain can be perfectly normal, especially around your periods if you have them. Be aware of any unexplained pain in your breast, pec, or your armpit that is there all or almost all of the time.
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Common Questions about Chest-Checking
Why regularly check?
All bodies are different, and by checking regularly, you’ll build an understanding of what’s normal for you and you’ll more likely notice any unusual changes.
Natural changes
Your [boobs|pecs|chest|breasts] changes constantly throughout your life, particularly during puberty and adolescence.
For women and people assigned female at birth, it’s common to experience changes to your chest in the years from your first period to menopause. This is because of the varying levels of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone in your body.
Getting to know the natural rhythm of your [boobs|pecs|chest|breasts] will help you to detect anything unusual quickly. The more familiar you are with how your chest looks and feels, the more confidence you will have in contacting your doctor about any concerns. Remember, it may take a few checks before you feel confident knowing what is normal for your [boobs|pecs|chest|breasts].
If you’re taking the pill or hormone based medications
There is evidence that taking the contraceptive pill can slightly increase the risk of breast cancer for some people. If you’re taking the contraceptive pill or other hormone-based medications, you may notice changes to how your [boobs|pecs|chest|breasts] feels. Each person will be different, so talk to your GP if you have concerns.
If you’ve had breast surgery or implants
If you have recently had breast surgery or implants, it is important to get to know your new normal, as your chest may look and feel different. Some people that have breast implants say that they find it harder to check all areas of their [boobs|pecs|chest|breasts]. Whilst the NHS doesn’t offer any different guidance for those with implants, it can help to test out a few different positions whilst checking. Try looking and feeling whilst standing up, lying down or with each of your arms raised to ensure you can feel all areas of the [boobs|pecs|chest|breasts] more thoroughly.
During pregnancy
Changes can be an early sign of being pregnant. Many women feel a change in sensation in their [boobs|pecs|chest|breasts] such as tingling and soreness (particularly of the nipples). This is due to increased levels of the hormone progesterone and the growth of the milk ducts. The appearance of the [boobs|pecs|chest|breasts] can also change. The [boobs|pecs|chest|breasts] and the areola (the circle of skin surrounding your nipple) may begin to get bigger. The nipple and areola can become darker and remain that way during pregnancy.
When breastfeeding
It’s normal to experience changes when breastfeeding, as large amounts of milk are produced to feed a newborn baby. The [boobs|pecs|chest|breasts] can change size many times a day according to the baby’s feeding pattern. Nipples can sometimes become sore and cracked, but this generally gets better over time. When breastfeeding stops, the [boobs|pecs|chest|breasts] may gradually go back to how they were before pregnancy, although they might be a different size and less firm than before.