Breast Awareness from CoppaFeel!

You can check in any way that feels comfortable for you.

This information was published by CoppaFeel! in February 2022. It is due for review in February 2025.

You are never too young to start

Although breast cancer is rare in younger people, it can still happen, as all genders have breast tissue, which develops at a young age.

Breast screening is great but limited

In the UK, only women will be invited to routine breast screening from the age of 47-50 years old, which takes place every 3 years. For that reason, checking your boobs is especially important for those who aren’t screened. But even if you have mammograms (the breast screening test) it is important to check in between your appointments.

It isn’t always hereditary

Less than 10% of breast cancers are caused by a family history. Most people who receive a diagnosis, won’t know why the disease has developed.

Everyone has breast tissue

Checking your chest is for guys, gals and non-binary pals as everyone has breast tissue. Around 55,000 women and almost 400 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK every year.

In the UK…

• 1 in 7 women will be affected by breast cancer in their lifetime.
• Around 400 men are diagnosed every year.
• Around 2,300 women are diagnosed aged 39 or under.
• In females aged 25-49, breast cancer is the most common cancer, accounting for more than 4 in 10 (44%) of all cases in 2014-2016.

*Statistics from Cancer Research UK and Breast Cancer Now

Our research shows…

• Younger women aged 18-24 years old consistently check their boobs less than those 25-35 years old.
• Only 36% of women aged 18-35 years old check their boobs monthly.
• Only 54% of women would immediately visit their doctor upon discovering early signs and symptoms.
• Just over half of young women are confident to start checking their boobs.

But

• 78% believe it is important to raise awareness of breast cancer amongst young women.
• Women who are aware of CoppaFeel! are more likely to check their breasts and know the signs and symptoms compared with those who are not.

*Statistics from CoppaFeel! annual research December 2020.

This information was published by CoppaFeel! in February 2022. It is due for review in February 2025.

Who is invited?

Breast screening uses image scans to look for breast cancer. Breast screening could be by one of two scans:

• Mammogram
• Ultrasound

The national screening programme in the UK uses mammogram, a type of x-ray, to scan women aged 50 – 71. Women in that age group are invited to be scanned every 3 years. It is rare for men to have breast cancer, so they are not invited to be screened as part of a national screening programme.

Why don’t we screen women under 50?

Women with a high risk of breast cancer can be screened at any age. However, low-risk women under 50 are not invited to be screened as part of the national screening programme. This is because the risks of screening women under 50 would outweigh the benefits. X-ray exposes you to a tiny amount of radiation, and any exposure to radiation can very slightly increase your risk of cancer. Mammograms of young women are also more difficult to read, as their breast tissue is denser. Women under 50 would need more frequent scans, so they would have more exposure to radiation.

It is important to get to know your breasts and chest area whether you are screened or not. Make sure you know what is normal for you and your body. If you notice any unusual changes, make an appointment to see your GP, even if you have a scan appointment coming up.

Mammogram

A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast. When you go for a mammogram, a female staff member (mammographer) will be in the room with you. The mammographer will tell you to undress to the waist and stand in front of the mammogram machine. She will help to position you so she can take the best scan of your breast. You will have a scan of one breast first, and then the other breast. Some people find mammograms slightly uncomfortable, but it is over very quickly! You can still have a mammogram if you have breast implants, just let your mammographer know before your scan.

Ultrasound

If you are a woman under 50 and you are high risk, or if you are referred to the breast clinic, you will most likely have an ultrasound scan. Ultrasound is painless. It is a good scan for looking at young breast tissue. That’s because young breast tissue is denser than breast tissue in older people. You can learn more about dense breasts here. For the ultrasound, you will be asked to undress to the waist and sit or lie down on a couch. The doctor will put some clear gel on your breast and armpit, and then move the handheld scanner all over that area. Ultrasound is safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding you can still be referred to the breast clinic for tests if you need to be.

This information was published by CoppaFeel! in February 2022. It is due for review in February 2025.

We often get asked how to check your breasts with breast implants. The answer is that there is no special technique for checking your breasts if you have implants, you just need to get to know your normal and check regularly.

If you have recently had implants, you will need to get used to your new normal. This is the case if you’ve had any surgery to your chest. It can take a while to get used to the changes and how your chest now looks and feels. You might have changes to sensitivity or new scar tissue, but the key is getting to know what’s normal for you, and to contact your doctor if you have any concerns.

Here’s our top tips for checking with implants:

• Look in the mirror and familiarise yourself with how your breasts look now.
• Feel all your breast tissue. Remember your breast tissue goes up to your collarbone and under your armpits.
• Try checking in different positions. For example, try checking while standing up and lying down to get to know your breasts in different positions.
• Take note of anything new after your surgery, such as scars or new firmness.
• Be patient. You will get used to your new normal, just keep checking once a month.
• Talk to your doctor if you notice anything unusual or a new change occurs

Risks

There are risks with all surgery, and there are risks with all implants (prosthesis). However, there is no evidence that breast implants increase your risk of breast cancer.

There is a rare form of cancer called Breast Implant Associated Lymphoma, which is linked to a very small number of breast implants. Breast Implant Associated Lymphoma is not breast cancer, it is a rare cancer of the immune system. These links have been found in about 1 in 24,000 cases. The data tells us that complications linked to breast implant surgeries are rare and not usually serious.

The vast majority of breast implant surgeries are safe. If you are thinking about having breast implants, you can talk to your GP. The NHS also has good advice here.

Related Conditions

Breast Implant Illness is a term sometimes used to describe lots of health conditions that may be linked to breast implants. Breast Implant Illness is not an official diagnosis, because there is currently a lack of evidence that these illnesses are caused by the implants. However, doctors know about Breast Implant Illness because people with implants tell them about symptoms and illnesses following their implant surgery. These symptoms include fatigue, chest pain and ‘brain fog’.

This information was published by CoppaFeel! in February 2022. It is due for review in February 2025.