However, with October approaching, it’s important not to forget about the number one priority of having boobs: breast health. October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual international health campaign to increase recognition and knowledge of breast cancer.
Breast Cancer
This disease is the most common cancer in women worldwide – it occurs quite frequently and is a lot more common than most people may think. In 2020 for example, 11.7% of all cancers diagnosed globally were female breast cancer. In England, breast cancer accounted for 30% of all cancers in 2019. In the UK, there are around 56,000 new cases of breast cancer every year, which is over 150 new cases every day!
With these figures in mind, it’s clear to see why more awareness needs to be brought to the topic, so we’d like to do our part here at Beija to bring more recognition to this disease. A woman born after 1960 and living in the UK has an estimated lifetime risk of developing breast cancer of 1 in 7.
Therefore, we understand that this disease is common; if you have it, then you’re not alone! If you have any concerns, you should reach out to your GP for a test, but there are some regular checks we all can and should do to help catch any issues early. So let’s talk a bit about breast awareness and what to look out for.
In general, there is no right or wrong way to check your breasts. Instead, it’s important to know how your breasts normally look and feel – this is called breast awareness. This way, you’ll be able to spot any changes quickly and inform your GP. This may change at different times of the month. For example, some women have tender and lumpy breasts (particularly near the armpit) around the time of their periods.
There is a 5-point plan for being breast aware, produced by the NHS Breast Screening Programme. Their plan suggests to:
It is recommended that you look at your breasts and feel each one, as well as your armpit and up to your collarbone. It may be easiest to do this in the bath or shower, by running a soapy hand over each boob and up under each armpit. But it’s likely to be helpful to do this in a place that is quiet and where you’re most comfortable. You can also use a mirror to look at your breasts, both with your arms by your side and also raised above your head.
Changes to look out for:
During your checks, look out for a new lump or thickening in your breast or armpit, or a change in the size, shape or feel of your breast. You can also look out for changes to the skin, such as dimpling, redness or a rash. Finally, don’t forget the nipples! Check for changes in nipple position or fluid leaking if you aren’t pregnant or breastfeeding.
Remember, always see a GP if you do have concerns. Breast changes happen frequently and for many reasons, most of which are not serious. Many women have lumps and most are not cancerous, but it’s best to be on the safe side. You don’t have to do these checks every day or even every week – just understand how they normally feel and look out for deviations from this.
It’s important to note that every woman’s breasts are different in terms of size, shape and consistency. It’s also possible (in fact very common!) for one breast to be larger than the other. What you’re looking for are any changes that aren’t normal for you and your body in particular.
Although only a symptom of breast cancer in rare cases, any discomfort or pain in one breast (especially if it’s a new pain and doesn’t go away) is also a sign to watch out for. However, breast pain is very common and is not normally due to cancer, but it’s still important to see your doctor. With those notes on breast awareness and symptoms to check for, let’s talk more about October – the time of year to rally support for breast cancer!
October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month
As mentioned above, October is breast cancer awareness month. It runs from the 1st October to the 31st October and the goal is to get as many people as possible involved in raising awareness and funds to help finance research and support. There are a number of ways to get involved – a variety of events are organised in October. These include walks, runs and wearing the colour pink.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an incredible opportunity to bring us all together in a collaborative effort to tackle a worthy cause. Make sure to keep an eye out for events happening around your local area, as well as around our flagship store in London! We’re based just a short walk from Kings Cross St Pancras, in an area called Coal Drops Yard. This is located just off of Granary Square, the popular public space and city park.
We’d love for you to join us in-store for a free bra fitting and to browse our range of stunning lingerie. Regardless of your size, shape or style, your perfect bra fit is waiting for you here at Beija. Combining the right fit with our gorgeous designs in a bra that accentuates your figure and shapes you under your clothes will have you feeling beautiful, confident and sexy!
Comfort and support are of utmost importance, so why not book a bra fitting with Beija? We offer multiple options to suit your needs, whether you’d prefer an online bra fitting, in-person fitting or would like to use our bra size calculator.
