Make checking your bumps part of your bathing routine

I WANT to talk to all you ladies and gentlemen out there about something very serious, so, I want you to get yourself a drink.

I don’t care if it’s tea, coffee, or whatever your tipple is, sit yourselves down comfortably, as I want your full attention. As you may or may not know, October is breast awareness month. Yes, I’m talking about breasts.

Bazonkas, baps, muffins or whatever you call yours. Personally, mine are called Betty and Barbara. Whatever yours are called it’s that time of year when all of you that don’t check your closest friends regularly need a sharp reminder.

I hope everyone does check regularly, let’s be honest it can be done in the shower or bath and only takes a couple of minutes.

So for the ones that don’t, this is the time of year when we are all reminded to. All of us either know someone who has had breast cancer or is still fighting it, or maybe you have sadly experienced it yourself.

I personally have known and know people who have or had it and seen the impact it has on lives.

Did you know that breast cancer is the most common type found in women In the UK? Most women who are diagnosed with it are over fifty, but that doesn’t mean that women under fifty are safe, because the truth is, you’re not.

Around 46,000 people are diagnosed each year, and 11,000 women and 85 men will sadly die.

Yes, men also develop breast cancer. But there are over three million breast cancer survivors. ‘Survivors’ keep that word in mind. Twelve per cent of women, or one in eight will unfortunately develop breast cancer.

If breast cancer is in the family it puts you at a higher risk. Once again, don’t be fooled into thinking that you’re safe if no one in your family has ever had it.

Symptoms are not the same for everyone, symptoms can vary greatly, so don’t assume that you are cancer free if you don’t have the typical symptoms. Some women don’t have symptoms at all and that’s why screening is important. Mammograms can save lives.

A woman’s risk of developing breast cancer almost doubles if her mother, sister or daughter has it.

Did you know that breast cancer is more common in the left breast than the right, but any lumps in the breast or under the arm pit, any thickening or swelling, any irritation or dimpling of the breast skin, any redness or flaky skin around the nipple area, any pulling or pain in the nipple area or discharge should ALWAYS be reported to your doctor. So, if you, or a friend, find anything that looks or feels different, no matter how busy your lives are please make it priority. Your breasts are yours, get to know them. Remember that doctors have seen it all before.

Breast clinics are there to help you. It’s no good googling the symptoms, or laying in bed night after night wondering if what you think is a small lump really is. Get it seen by a doctor, at least it will put your mind at ease.

If you are aged seventy-one or over you will not automatically be invited for breast screening.

However, you do have the right to free screening every three years if you ask. All you have to do is phone your local breast screening unit to make an appointment. Good news for all. So, all I ask is that you all keep checking. It should be part of your bathing or shower regime. It only takes a moment and it could save your life.