Know Your Breasts Inside Out

It starts with regular breast you know your boobs intimately, and thorough scans like mammograms. Self-examinations that let these two checks can save your life.

When was the last time you paid attention to your boobs, besides slathering body foam on them in the shower? By paying attention, we mean knowing the texture, shape and appearance of your breasts and nipples during different times of the month, at different stages of your life -- starting from 20. And this breast self-awareness should continue throughout your lifetime.

When your period is near or if you’re pregnant, for instance, your boobs may feel more sore and tender than usual. If you are breastfeeding, you may encounter small lumps which are usually caused by clogged ducts. After hitting 40, you may notice your breasts shrink, soften and become saggier. Abnormal growths like cysts may even appear.

You may not think much about your boobs. After all, they’re covered up most of the time, and breasts don’t typically come up in conversations – other than, perhaps, in yearly chats with our gynaes and Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

But here’s why your breasts deserve more attention and airtime: Every year, more than 2,000 women in Singapore are diagnosed with breast cancer, and it’s the leading cause of death for women, according to the National Registry of Diseases Office Singapore, Singapore Cancer Registry 50th Anniversary Monograph 2019. Of those affected, about 20 per cent die from it.