Breast Cancer Care WA

In young women, breasts can feel much lumpier around the time of the menstrual cycle. If a lump persists after one menstrual cycle, contact your doctor. In older women, who have gone through the menopause, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

All breasts have areas of lumpiness that fluctuate with the menstrual cycle, however if lumps are irregular, unchanging or slowly enlarging or new you should contact your doctor.

Nearly 80% of breast lumps are benign (not cancerous). Lumpy breasts are very common and they can change with different times of the menstrual cycle. Any lump that is new or unusual should be checked by a doctor.

A lump in the breast is only one change that may indicate breast cancer. All women regardless of age are encouraged to be breast aware. Click here to find out how.

The changes you should look for include;

• A lump or lumpiness
• An area that feels different to the rest of the breast
• An area of thickening
• Changes to the skin such as dimpling, puckering or redness
• Nipple discharge or bleeding from the nipple
• Nipple itchiness, scaly skin or ulcers around the nipple
• New nipple inversion
• New and persistent pain
• If you notice any of the above changes please consult your GP or health professional as soon as possible.

It is important for all women aged 40 and over to have a free screening mammogram every two years. Having a mammogram can save your life.

• A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast.
• Mammograms can detect up to 90% of breast cancers.
• Mammograms can detect a lump as small as a grain of rice.
• BreastScreen WA offer free screening mammograms to anyone aged 40 and over. Clinics are available in locations around the Perth metropolitan area. For women living in rural and remote areas the BreastScreen WA mobile unit visits regional towns every two years.
• To make an appointment for a free mammogram call BreastScreen WA on 13 20 50 or visit www.breastscreen.health.wa.gov.au.
• For more information about breast cancer screening call 9323 6799 or 1800 800 033.

As men have breast tissue, men can also develop breast cancer. However, male breast cancer accounts for less than one per cent of all breast cancer diagnosed. Each year approximately 144 men are diagnosed with breast cancer. Both men and women have breast tissue – men just have less of it.

Every woman has some risk of developing breast cancer. 9 out of 10 women who are diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history. However, the more relatives you have with breast cancer, the higher your risk is of developing it.