October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is a good time to check in with yourself, and to talk about it with the women in your life.

Here is why it matters. A review of studies published in Nigeria between 2018 and 2023 found that about 3 in 4 women with breast cancer (76%) were diagnosed at stage III or IV, when the cancer has already grown or spread. The earlier it is found, the more treatment options a woman has and the better her chances. So knowing what to look out for, and not waiting, can make a real difference.

Know what is normal for you

Look at your breasts and feel them from time to time, so you notice when something changes. There is no perfect way to do this. You are just getting to know how they normally look and feel. If you still have your period, a few days after it ends is a good time, because your breasts are less tender.

Changes to report to a doctor

See a doctor if you notice any of these:

• A lump, knot or thickening in the breast or under the arm
• A change in the size or shape of one breast
• Dimpling or puckering of the skin
• Redness, swelling or warmth in the breast
• A rash or scaly sore on the nipple, or a nipple that turns inward
• Fluid coming from the nipple that starts suddenly
• New pain in one spot that does not go away

Most breast lumps turn out not to be cancer, but the only way to be sure is to have it checked. Many early breast cancers do not hurt, so please do not wait for pain before you act.

Screening

Screening means checking for breast cancer before you have any symptoms. When to start, and how often, depends on your age and your family history, so ask a doctor what is right for you. Tell your doctor if your mother, sister or daughter has had breast or ovarian cancer.

Small habits that can lower your risk

Staying active, keeping a healthy weight and limiting alcohol all help. If you are able to, breastfeeding also lowers your risk. None of these replaces regular checks, but they are worth doing.

Men can get breast cancer too

It is much less common in men, but it does happen. The same signs apply, so a lump or change in a man’s chest should be checked too.

How TelMD can help

You do not have to travel to get started. Message us on WhatsApp and we will connect you with a doctor by video, or at home if you are in Lagos. You can talk through a lump or change you have noticed, ask about screening and your own risk, and get advice on the next step, such as where to go for an examination or a scan.

Chat with a nurse on WhatsApp

This article is for general information and does not replace a visit to your doctor. Statistic from Nigeria’s 6-year (2018 to 2023) stage distribution of breast cancer at diagnosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.