Know Your Breasts. Notice the Changes.

Breast health should not only come to mind when someone says “breast cancer.”

It starts with something much simpler: knowing what is normal for your body.

The way your breasts look and feel can naturally change over time. Your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, age and other factors can all affect them. But when you notice a change that is new or unusual for you, paying attention matters.

In 2024, an estimated 2.4 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer globally, and 694,000 women died from the disease. Breast cancer can affect women at any age after puberty, and early diagnosis can make a significant difference in access to timely treatment and care. 

For women across Africa, this conversation is particularly important. WHO reports that in most countries in the African Region, more than 70% of breast cancer cases are detected late. Delays in seeking care can mean that women reach health facilities when the disease is more advanced and treatment is more difficult. 

This is why awareness matters.

Not to make you afraid of every change, but to help you know when to pay attention.

A new lump or thickening

A new lump or thickened area in your breast or under your arm is one change worth having assessed.

Finding a lump does not automatically mean you have breast cancer. In fact, Cleveland Clinic notes that about 8 in 10 breast lumps are noncancerous. Cysts, fibroadenomas, infections and other benign conditions can cause lumps too. 

But you cannot reliably determine the cause by feeling the lump yourself.

A breast lump can also be painless, so waiting until something hurts before seeking care is not a good approach. If you notice a new or unusual lump, speak with a qualified healthcare professional.

A change in size or shape

Breasts do not have to look exactly the same, and some differences are completely normal.

What matters is a new change from what is normal for you.

Pay attention if one breast suddenly appears different in size or shape, or if you notice a change that persists beyond the usual changes you experience during your menstrual cycle.

Knowing your normal makes it easier to recognize when something has changed.

Changes to the skin

Look out for changes such as:

• Dimpling or puckering
• Redness
• Swelling
• Thickening
• A change in the texture or appearance of the skin

These changes do not mean that you have breast cancer. But they are reasons to seek medical advice rather than trying to diagnose yourself.

WHO identifies changes such as dimpling, redness and pitting of the breast skin among possible symptoms of breast cancer. 

Changes around the nipple

Your nipples can also show changes that deserve attention.

These may include:

• A newly inverted or retracted nipple
• Changes in the skin around the nipple
• Unusual nipple discharge
• Spontaneous discharge, particularly if it is from one breast or is bloody or watery

Again, these symptoms do not automatically mean cancer. But they should not be dismissed. WHO’s 2026 guidance for the African Region specifically emphasizes assessment of suspicious breast symptoms and timely referral for diagnosis. 

Don’t wait for pain

One of the most important things to remember is this:

Breast cancer does not always hurt.

A painless lump or other unusual change can still require medical assessment. And in many parts of Africa, women are still diagnosed at a late stage.

The WHO Regional Office for Africa reports that more than 70% of breast cancer cases are detected late in most countries in the region. 

So don’t use the absence of pain as reassurance.

If something feels different from your normal, pay attention.

Get familiar with your breasts

Breast awareness is about becoming familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel.

You can do this while dressing, bathing or looking in the mirror. There is no special technique required to simply become familiar with your body.

Look and feel for changes in:

Your breasts:
Size, shape or a new lump or thickened area.

Your skin:
Dimpling, puckering, redness, swelling or changes in texture.

Your nipples:
New inversion, changes around the nipple or unusual discharge.

Your underarm:
A new lump or swelling.

The goal is not to diagnose breast cancer yourself. It is to notice when something is different and know when to seek help.

What should you do if you notice a change?

First, don’t panic.

Many breast changes are caused by conditions that are not cancer. But don’t ignore the change either.

Speak with a qualified healthcare professional who can assess you properly and determine whether you need further tests.

Do not rely on social media, assumptions or advice from friends to determine what a breast change means.

And if someone you love tells you that they have noticed something unusual, take their concern seriously. Encourage them to seek appropriate medical care.

Awareness should lead to action

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is more than wearing pink or sharing a reminder online.

It is about women having the information to recognize changes, the confidence to ask questions and the support to seek care when they need it.

Breast cancer remains a major health challenge globally, but awareness, early diagnosis and timely access to appropriate care are important parts of improving outcomes. 

So this month, check in with yourself.

Know what is normal for you.

Notice what changes.

And when something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it.

Every woman deserves access to accurate information, timely healthcare and the confidence to speak up about her health.

Her participation to power.