Your breasts may give you cause for concern for a number of reasons, different times in your life. They may be tender and painful, or you may experience discharge from a nipple, or discover a lump… Whatever the problem, it should not be ignored. Report the change to your doctor who will decide whether you need to be referred to a specialist.

Nine out of ten breast lumps are benign - often cysts, or sacs of fluid which come from the milk-producing glands, or fibro adenomas, formed from a collection of fibrous glandular tissue. However, any lump - or any unusual change in the breasts - should be investigated.

The best way to check for changes in your breasts is to feel and look at them regularly. You will soon become familiar with what is normal for you and, should any change occur, you will be confident about whether this is just a part of your normal monthly cycle - or something which needs further investigation.

• Difference in size or shape of one or other breast, e.g. does one breast appear to be facing in a different direction?
  

• Differences between the nipples, e.g. does either nipple turn in or point out differently? Is there any rash or swelling around them? Is there any discharge?
  

• Differences in skin texture, e.g. puckering or dimpling, a rash, thickening of the skin, `orange peel` appearance of the skin, or a visible lump or bulge.

• Lumps, swellings or thickenings in either breast or armpit, or in the upper arm. 
  

• If you find any of these, or experience discomfort or pain in either breast and you know that the sensation is different from pre-menstrual tenderness, see your doctor as soon as possible. 
  

• If you are unhappy with his decision (if, for example, he asks you to wait a few weeks for further changes) do not accept this. 
  

• You have the right to insist on a second opinion as soon as possible.