Breast Cancer Foundation NZ

400 years on, we know the signs. Knowledge beats breast cancer

See their stories

Checked your breasts lately?

We'll show you how. Checking your breasts is easy as TLC. 'Know your normal', so you can find any changes in your breasts as soon as they appear.

Touch
Touch both breasts. You’re feeling for any lumps or thickening of the tissue, even up into the armpits.
Look
Look in front of a mirror. Can you see any physical changes to the breast shape, skin or nipples?
Check
Check any breast changes with your doctor. Even if you’ve had a mammogram recently.

Real signs of breast cancer

Do you have…?

A new lump
An inverted nipple
Nipple discharge
Crusty nipple
Dimples, puckering or dents
Orange-peel-like skin
Unusual breast pain
Shape change

Or thickening of the skin in the breast, armpit or around the collarbone. More info →

If you have any of these signs show your doctor immediately.

A newly retracted or turned in nipple. More info →

If you have any of these signs show your doctor immediately.

Discharge may be blood stained but not always. More info →

If you have any of these signs show your doctor immediately.

Or a red rash, flaky skin or itchiness around the areola. More info →

If you have any of these signs show your doctor immediately.

These can appear anywhere on the breast, even on the underside. More info →

If you have any of these signs show your doctor immediately.

Red and inflamed looking with visible pores or any change in breast colour. More info →

If you have any of these signs show your doctor immediately.

Which won't go away. More info →

If you have any of these signs show your doctor immediately.

Any change in the size or shape of your breasts. More info →

If you have any of these signs show your doctor immediately.

Real images courtesy of Scottish Government

Worried?

Recently diagnosed?

Need help?

Want to help?

What you should do depends on your age