October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and so we are going to give you the lowdown on how and when you need to check your breasts.

Firstly, it’s important to check your breasts regularly – as in every time you shower.

About once a month you should do a thorough check of your breasts.

Changes to look out for when checking your breasts include:

• A lump or thickening in the breast or under the armpit
• Pain in one of the breasts or armpit
• Puckering or dimpling of the breast skin
• Pulling in of the nipple
• Reddness of the breast skin
• Nipple rash
• Discharge or bleeding from the nipple
• Changes in the shape or size of the breasts or nipple
• A change in the position of the nipple

Cancer.ie notes that 9 out of 10 breast lumps are harmless but if anything is bothering you about your breasts please visit a GP so they can put your mind and ease and do any further investigating that may need to be done. 

Checking regularly for changes in your breasts can catch anything that may be worrying early and is therefore really important in the fight against breast cancer – which is one we all want to win.