Breast Cancer Foundation NZ
Teach your hands what to look for.
Pre Check – the app that puts breast health in your hands.
Download Pre Check Find out moreHow well do you know your own breasts?
How well do you know your own breasts? Is one normally bigger than the other? Is it normal that they’re sometimes really sore and a little lumpy? When was the last time you checked your breasts?
Breast cancer is most treatable when it is found early, so early detection is your best protection. That’s why it’s vital to know the signs and ‘know your normal’ – and if you notice any changes, see your doctor immediately.
How-to guide
Touch
Put your arm above your head and use the other hand to check. Move your fingers up and down or in circular motions to check all parts of your breast. Feel up to your collarbone and under your armpit.
Touch
If you have larger breasts, it’s often easier to check when you are lying down so that your breast tissue is flatter. Put your arm above your head and use the other hand to check.
Look
With hands on hips, look at your breasts in the mirror. Notice their shape, colour and size.
Look
Now raise your arms in the air to check underneath each breast.
Symptoms and signs of breast cancer
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Skin like orange peel
Sometimes part of the breast becomes red and thickened. The skin may look like orange peel because the pores stand out in the inflamed area. This may be a sign of breast cancer.
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Puckering
Dimples, dents or puckering anywhere on your breast may be signs of breast cancer. These can appear anywhere, even on the underside of the breast. Ready to self-check?
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Lumps
A lump or bump may be a sign of breast cancer. Check for lumps or thickening in the breast tissue that feels different to the rest of your breast. Ready to self-check?
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Nipple discharge
Discharge from your nipple may be a sign of breast cancer. Look closely at your nipple for any fluid or discharge. Ready to self-check?
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Skin changes
Any skin changes, including reddening, inflammation or bruising, may be signs of breast cancer. You’re looking for unusual skin changes. Ready to self-check?
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Pain
Breast tenderness is normal, particularly around your period. But ongoing pain, especially in one breast, may be a sign of breast cancer. Ready to self-check?
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Inverted nipple
A newly turned-in or inverted nipple may be a sign of a breast cancer. Pay close attention to your nipple area, checking for dry skin, discharge or your nipple turning in. Ready to self-check?
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Shape changes
Unexplained shrinkage or swelling, especially if it’s in just one breast, may be a sign of breast cancer. Your breast might feel heavy, swollen or achy. Ready to self-check?
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Crusty nipple
Crusty, flaky or scaly skin on your nipple may be a sign of breast cancer. Check your nipples for redness, itching or burning. Ready to self-check?
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Features of Pre Check
Pre Check is a wellbeing tool for women in New Zealand. It’s an innovation that empowers women by giving them confidence to take control of their own breast health.
Visual, tactile and audio cues help you search for signs of breast cancer on your mobile. When you find one, you can learn more about it before looking for other signs.
Once you’ve found the signs of breast cancer, you are prompted to “get to know your normal”. We teach you how to self-check via an easy-to-follow illustrated guide.
You have the option to set your own reminder for regular self-checks. This will send a push-notification to your phone, urging you to ‘touch, look and check’ and reminding you how.
Teach your
hands what
to look for.
Know the signs. Know your normal. Download Pre Check App today
Download Pre Check App today.
