Breast, Nipple Care, and Self-Examination Tips: What Every Woman Should Know
Your breasts change throughout your life.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, hormonal changes, your menstrual cycle, aging, and even changes in your weight can all affect how your breasts look and feel. And when you're breastfeeding, your nipples can go through their own set of changes, from dryness and tenderness to cracking and irritation.
Knowing what is normal for your body is an important part of taking care of yourself.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so we're refreshing one of our original blog posts with a focus on three things every woman can benefit from knowing more about: breast care, nipple care, and breast self-awareness.
This isn't a guide for diagnosing breast cancer. Breast self-exams aren't a replacement for recommended screening or a visit with your healthcare provider. The goal is simply to become more familiar with your own breasts so you can recognize changes and know when to ask for help.
1. Get to know how your breasts normally look and feel
There isn't one "normal" way for breasts to look or feel.
Your breasts may feel different at different points in your menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, while breastfeeding, or as you get older. One breast may also naturally be a little different from the other.
The important thing is knowing what is normal for you.
You don't need to follow a complicated monthly routine. Simply pay attention while you're showering, getting dressed, applying skincare, or going about your normal day.
Look and feel for changes such as:
- A new lump or thickened area
- A change in the size or shape of your breast
- Skin that becomes dimpled, puckered, or unusually irritated
- A nipple that turns inward when it normally doesn't
- Unusual nipple discharge, especially if it is bloody
- A new change in the appearance of the nipple or breast
- Persistent pain or swelling in one area
Most breast changes aren't cancer, but a new or unusual change is worth discussing with your healthcare provider.
2. Breastfeeding? Pay attention to your nipples, too.
For breastfeeding and pumping moms, nipple care can make a big difference in everyday comfort.
Sore, dry, cracked, or irritated nipples can happen, especially during the early weeks of breastfeeding. Sometimes the cause is as simple as friction or dryness, while persistent pain can be a sign that something about feeding or pumping needs to be adjusted.
A good place to start is making sure your baby is latching properly. If breastfeeding continues to be painful or your nipples are cracked or bleeding, a lactation consultant or healthcare provider can help you figure out what's going on.
And remember: you don't have to simply push through pain because you're a new mom.
3. Keep nipple care simple
Nipples don't need an elaborate skincare routine.
If you're experiencing dryness or irritation, a gentle nipple balm can help keep the skin moisturized and comfortable.
For breastfeeding mothers, look for products specifically designed for nipple care and follow the product's directions regarding whether it needs to be removed before feeding.
Irene Organics Nipple Balm is lanolin-free and made for dry, cracked, and sensitive nipples, making it an easy product to keep nearby during the breastfeeding stage.
4. Be gentle with your breasts
Your breasts don't need to be scrubbed, exfoliated, or treated aggressively.
When showering or moisturizing, use gentle products and avoid anything that leaves your skin feeling dry or irritated.
If you're breastfeeding, you may also notice changes such as fullness, tenderness, or areas that feel different from usual. If you develop significant pain, redness, warmth, fever, or symptoms that concern you, contact your healthcare provider.
Your breasts deserve the same gentle care you give the rest of your skin.
5. Know what breast self-examination can and can't do
You may have heard about performing a monthly breast self-exam.
Today, the focus for people at average risk is generally breast self-awareness rather than relying on a formal self-exam to screen for breast cancer. The American Cancer Society says breast self-exams aren't sufficient on their own for breast cancer screening. Instead, women should be familiar with how their breasts normally look and feel and report new changes to a healthcare provider.
So when you're doing your normal skincare routine, taking a shower, or getting dressed, take a moment to notice your breasts.
You can look in the mirror with your arms relaxed and raised, and gently feel the breast and underarm area. There's no need to press hard or follow a complicated technique.
The goal isn't to diagnose yourself. It's to know your baseline.
6. Don't skip your recommended breast screenings
Knowing your breasts is important, but it isn't a substitute for recommended screening.
For women at average risk, the American Cancer Society currently recommends that women ages 40 to 44 have the option to begin annual mammograms, women ages 45 to 54 have annual mammograms, and women 55 and older transition to mammograms every two years or continue yearly screening. Women with a higher-than-average risk may need a different screening plan.
Your personal and family history can affect when you should begin screening and which tests are appropriate, so talk with your healthcare provider about your individual risk.
And if you notice a new breast change, don't wait for your next screening appointment to mention it.
When should you talk to your doctor?
If you notice something that is new, unusual, or doesn't go away, it's worth getting checked.
That can include a new lump, persistent breast pain, changes in the skin or nipple, unusual discharge, or a noticeable change in the size or shape of your breast.
There are many reasons a breast can change, and a change doesn't automatically mean cancer. Your healthcare provider can determine whether you need further evaluation.
A reminder from Irene Organics
Breast care isn't something you only need to think about in October.
Your body changes throughout your life, and taking a few moments to understand those changes is one small way to take better care of yourself.
For us at Irene Organics, this is personal. Our founder, Irene, lost her mother to breast cancer when she was younger. Her experience is one of the reasons breast cancer awareness and giving back to breast cancer research have remained important parts of Irene Organics.
This October, a portion of what we make will go toward breast cancer research, as it has every year since Irene Organics began.
Take care of your skin. Get to know your body. Keep up with your recommended screenings. And if something feels different, don't be afraid to ask.
Your health is worth paying attention to.