Breast Care & Awareness

Breast problems are the most common health concerns among women and can affect women at any age.

In women, the development of breasts usually begins around puberty and they may undergo various changes throughout the life cycle, especially during menstrual periods, pregnancy, lactation and advancing age.

Other than the normal physiological changes, the breast may also undergo a few other changes that may be a cause of anxiety among women.

It’s never too early to start being breast aware and it’s important to keep it up, even if you’re having regular breast imaging. This will help you to notice any possible changes in your breasts. 

You don’t need to be an expert or use a special technique to check your breasts. Take the time to get to know the normal look and feel of your breasts as part of everyday activities such as showering, dressing, putting on body lotion or simply looking in the mirror. Knowing what is normal for you will help you to detect any new changes in your breasts.

Why Be Breast Aware?

It has been proven that breast examinations are essential for early detection of breast cancer and are also useful for breast cancer prevention.

Women over 40 years of age are predisposed to breast cancer. Increased breast awareness is a very effective tool for early detection and prevention of breast cancer.

Breast Changes to Look for Include:

  • A new lump or lumpiness, especially if it's only in one breast
  • A change in the size or shape of your breast
  • A change in the nipple, such as crusting, ulcer, redness or inversion
  • Nipple discharge or fluid. Nipple discharge can occur in one or both breasts. All nipple discharges should be seen by a doctor for examination. Nipple discharge can range in colour and consistency, including clear, yellow, green and bloodstained.  
  • A change in the skin of your breasts such as redness, texture or dimpling
  • Unusual pain in your breast. Breast pain is one of the most common breast-related complaints among women. Breast pain may occur in one or both breasts or in the underarm (axilla).
  • Swelling or tenderness. Breast swelling is an enlargement of the breast or both breasts compared to your regular breast size and may be accompanied by other symptoms like tenderness (soreness). 
Nine out of ten breast changes aren't due to cancer, but it’s important to see a doctor to be sure. If you find a breast change that is unusual for you, see your GP without delay.

Types of Breast Changes

The common pathological breast changes can be categorized into non-cancerous and cancerous changes.

Non-cancerous changes include

  • generalized breast lumpiness; 
  • enlarged lymph nodes; 
  • painless, movable and firm lumps; 
  • presence of cysts; 
  • breast pain; 
  • abscesses or nipple discharge.

Cancerous changes in the breast include

  • invasive ductal carcinoma and 
  • lobular carcinoma.

Symptoms of Breast Cancer

The symptoms of breast cancer include a 
  • persistent irregularity or lump within the breast or near the underarm, 
  • swelling around the breast, 
  • changes in the appearance of the breast or nipple, 
  • nipple discharge which may be blood-stained or clear fluid, 
  • hardness or dimpling felt over the breast
  • any unusual changes in the breast.

What Can Cause Changes in My Breast?

All changes in your breasts should be monitored and reported to a suitable medical professional for further evaluation. However, it is important to remember that changes can occur for a range of reasons throughout life, and not all changes are related to breast cancer. Always have your doctor examine any changes.

Breasts are made up of milk glands, fat, lymph nodes, blood vessels and nerves. They do not have muscles, but there is some fibrous tissue. Some lumpiness, tissue that feels like a rope or a thick cord, or dense masses of tissue are usually natural and normal. Usually, normal breast changes develop slowly but you can become suddenly aware of changes, which can make you think that the change has happened overnight. 

Breasts are very responsive to hormones in your menstrual cycle, which increase before a period, causing milk ducts and glands to swell. This can create swelling and lumpiness and sometimes be quite painful.

Young women usually have more dense breasts as the breast is made up of mainly milk glands and ducts. Sometimes this thickness is felt as a lump or a mass of tissue. As women age, the breast is mostly fat. By menopause, many women’s breasts are completely soft. This can make normal lumps more noticeable. Sometimes women also find their breasts feel different when they lose or gain weight and sometimes breasts change for no obvious reason. 

A range of changes in the body can produce changes in the breast, mostly hormonal changes. The best way to maintain breast health is to be breast aware so you notice any change when it occurs, have annual checkups through your GP which includes a physical breast examination and have regular mammograms and/or breast ultrasounds (generally every two years unless it is recommended by your health professional more often). If you are concerned with any changes in your breasts, it is important to speak with your doctor for further evaluation.

Will Breast Changes Increase My Risk of Getting Cancer?

The normal hormonal changes that occur in your breast do not put you at an increased risk of breast cancer. 

You should always follow the recommendations for screening for breast cancer for women of your age and family history.

All women need to be alert to any changes in their breasts that are not usual for them. If you have any change in your breasts that is different to your usual hormonal changes, you should have it checked by your doctor.

If a breast change is having a negative impact on your life have it checked by your GP.

Breast Checks

The most popular methods of breast checks involve 
  • breast self-exam (BSE), 
  • clinical breast-exam (CBE), and 
  • advanced imaging
Other diagnostic measures such as 
These methods are commonly used for diagnostic purposes, for early detection of breast cancer.

Screening and Breast Imaging

Some changes in your breasts may require medical attention. This will start with a visit to your GP or treating doctor for an examination, which may result in being referred for breast imaging or a biopsy of your breast.

Your doctor will explain the test that they are referring you for and why this test would be beneficial in understanding the change in your breast.

Breast Imaging Victoria offers a range of breast imaging options. Urgent appointments are available with minimal delay and results available for your referring doctor on the day or within 24 hours, depending on the type of test. This helps in minimizing the stress and anxiety sometimes associated with breast examinations. 

Our team is happy to speak with you and explain all examinations as well as duration, process and cost. 

Should referring doctors have any queries in relation to breast imaging and wish to speak with a Radiologist or Breast Specialist directly, this can be arranged by calling the unit.
Breast Imaging

Breast Self-Examination

In breast self-examination, a woman checks her own breasts to identify any abnormalities or unusual changes.

Women should perform a monthly self-exam of their breasts. Any lumps or other abnormalities noted in the breasts should immediately be reported to the doctor.

Being 'breast aware' and to self-examine regularly so that any changes can be detected early.

It is also important to report symptoms such as nipple rash and bloody discharge to your GP as these may require further investigation.

It includes observation and physical examinations of the breast. Breast self-examination is easy, free, and can be performed easily at home.

Always inform your doctor about any change in 
  • the appearance of your breasts or 
  • any related abnormality. 
Breasts may swell and become tender at different stages of your menstrual cycle, so plan the breast self-examination at a convenient time every month to avoid discomfort.

Clinical Breast Examination

This method of breast check is performed by a doctor such as your GP to identify any unusual changes in the breast or the presence of any lumps.

It involves a careful physical examination of the breast that helps in detecting any abnormality and to devise an appropriate treatment plan.

Diagnostic Breast Testing

Diagnostic Breast testing can include:

This diagnostic procedure is often used to confirm the examination findings, as well as to evaluate any abnormalities detected during breast self-examination, clinical examination or on mammography.

Mammograms are one of the most effective diagnostic tools for identifying breast cancer. They detect the changes of the underlying soft tissue and assess the depth and cause of the pathological condition.


The benefits of the mammogram include early detection of breast changes through high quality images which provide a clear picture of the involved tissue and help detect all types of lumps.


Regular mammogram screenings, in women over 40 years of age, significantly reduce the mortality from breast cancer.


Depending on their risk factors for breast cancer, women over the age of 40 may need to have a mammogram performed every one to two years.

A breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a diagnostic test used to detect breast cancer or other breast abnormalities. Multiple images of the breasts are produced and may be combined to create detailed images.

MRI is one of the most sensitive diagnostic techniques for detecting breast cancer.

Breast biopsy is a procedure in which a small sample of breast tissue containing suspicious breast growth is removed and examined in the laboratory for the presence of cancer. It is indicated when abnormal findings are seen during mammography, ultrasound or MRI scans, or unusual changes are noticed in the nipple (dimpling skin, scaling or bloody discharge) or breast tissue (thickening or lumps).
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