What you need to know: the warning signs of breast cancer

As women, it’s something we’re all told to be aware of, so we can only imagine how scared Roxy Jacenko must have been after finding a lump in her left breast while showering last week.

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The PR maven and mum-of-two has publicly revealed she’s battling breast cancer, and is set to undergo surgery next week.

“They will remove the lump and all the surrounding tissue to ensure they get a clean enough cut to make sure it isn’t anywhere else in the tissue,” she told the Daily Telegraph. “I thought from reading all the information out there I was meant to wait until 40 until I got a mammogram."

While it's every woman's worst nightmare, chances are keeping tabs on your breasts doesn't sit too high on your to-do list.

But it should, says Cancer Council Australia CEO, Professor Sanchia Aranda who tells Be of the warning signs you need to be aware of.

Lumps

"Obviously a lump in the breast is the most common symptom a woman will pick up, but it’s important to remember that nine out of 10 breast lumps are benign," says Professor Aranda.

Dimpling

"Sometimes it can be described as an orange peel, so not the smooth, even look that your breasts normally have," explains Professor Aranda.

Changes to your nipples

Discharge from your nipple can be another symptom, as well as any noticeable changes, says Professor Aranda. "There could be an indent in the nipple or a change in the shape or direction - it can pull to one side or another."

"Everyone should get to know their breasts, what they feel like and report any changes to their doctor," says Professor Aranda. "A good way of thinking about it is checking the week after your menstruation because women can get lumpy breasts leading into menstruation. Having your period can be a good reminder to have a look the next week. Just be aware in the shower, put soap on your hand and get to know the normal feel of your breast and also back in towards your armpit. It’s knowing and understanding what normal is for you."

More understanding is something Claire Warner, a recently diagnosed breast cancer sufferer is dedicated to, after setting up a Twitter account for her left breast to encourage women to check for cancer.

Claire posted an image of her left breast on Facebook, with the caption: "This is a picture of my left boob… The small purplish bruise is where I had a biopsy taken. The minuscule dimple up and to the left of it is a rare and little-known symptom of BREAST CANCER. Blink and you’d miss it. I hope I’m one of the lucky ones.”

Claire’s Twitter account My Left Boob and her #CheckForThe Dimple has since hit the headlines.

Click here for more information on breast cancer.

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