Breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and will affect 1 in 9 women during their lifetime, regardless of sexuality. The majority of cases are in women over the age of 65, but breast cancer can occur at any age. So it’s important to be breast aware throughout your life.

Now I’m sure all you lesbian and bisexual women out there are aware of breasts (!) but how many of us are familiar with how our own boobs normally look and feel?

Being breast aware means knowing what is right for you. Your breasts will naturally change shape and appearance throughout your lifetime. They are affected by hormonal changes during your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, the menopause and weight loss or weight gain. By understanding how your breasts change, you’ll be able to detect any abnormality straight away.

If you find a change early and cancer is diagnosed, any treatment you receive will have a better outcome. The vast majority of lumpy breast conditions will prove to be benign (harmless) so please don’t panic if you do find a lump. However it is important to get it checked out.

What is normal?

As I’m sure you all know, breasts come in lots of different shapes and sizes. Everyone’s boobs are unique and what is normal for you may be completely different for someone else. Breast awareness is about becoming familiar with your own breasts and knowing what is normal for you as an individual. Your breast tissue will change throughout your life so it’s good to know what changes are right for you. That way you will be able to detect any abnormality straight away.

During periods

Just before your period starts your breasts will often become enlarged, tender and lumpy but then return to normal once the period is over. This is because each month, while you are of childbearing age, your breasts prepare for pregnancy and breastfeeding. Some women may have tender, lumpy breasts throughout their cycle while some women wont experience any change in their breasts.

During the menopause

After the menopause your breast tissue will change, becoming less dense and more fatty so your breasts will feel softer. They may appear smaller in size or if you take HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) they may feel firmer and sometimes quite tender.