Do YOU know what to look for?

An early cancer diagnosis can be the difference between life and death

- BESS BROWNING

It’s one of those things that we know we should do, like flossing our teeth or eating our five a day, but how many of us check our boobs for signs of cancer?

One in seven women in the UK will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, but 47% do not check their breasts regularly, and one in 10 never have.

That’s despite the fact that finding a symptom and seeking early diagnosis can save lives. Research and care charity Breast Cancer Now is making a plea to make checking your boobs a ‘habit of a lifetime’. So what should you be looking for? Woman’s Own speaks to two women who know the importance of checking your breasts properly.

‘My story could have ended so differently’

Lesley Rae, 48, lives in Falkirk with her husband, Ian, 38, and sons, Callum, 22, and, Harris, nine. Once a month, as I showered, I’d check myself thoroughly for lumps or bumps or any unusual changes to my body. Working at Marks & Spencer,our store’s charity partner was Breast Cancer Now, so I’d learnt about the signs women should look out for.

When I felt a marble-sized lump at the top of my right breast in October 2018, I knew I needed to get it checked by the GP. But even when the doctor referred me to the breast clinic, I wasn’t worried. I told my husband that 90% of lumps were benign. I didn’t have time to be ill. My weeks were back-to-back with the school run, being on the PTA, a full-time job, a busy social life and time with Ian and my sons, Callum, then 20, and Harris, then seven.

Then, at the clinic, Ian and I were called into a room where I instantly spotted the Macmillan nurse and felt my heart drop. ‘I’m sorry, you have breast cancer,’ the surgeon told me softly. I tried to speak, but my mouth had gone dry. Sitting beside me, Ian was unusually quiet.