Everything you need to know about being breast aware, and when you might need to seek medical advice.
Breast Awareness Enhanced Breast Screening
2025
Contents
This booklet has been created to provide you with useful information about different aspects of your care with us. Our aim is to support you towards the best possible experience – if you have any questions at any point, just ask, your clinical team is only an email or phone call away.
01 02 03 04 05
Introduction
Breast changes throughout life
Male breasts
Gynecomastia symptoms
Swollen lymph nodes
06
What to look for
07
What if you find a change
08
Getting here & contact details
ENHANCED BREAST SCREENING
WOMEN’S HEALTH
Welcome to Enhanced Breast Screening at Welbeck
01. Introduction
This leaflet will help explain how to remain breast aware. While this leaflet is for women, men should also be aware of any changes in their breasts, as a small percentage of men are also diagnosed with breast cancer each year. Being breast aware means knowing what’s normal for you so that if there are any changes, you’ll be able to recognise them quickly. Changes in the breast do not always signify breast cancer, but it’s important to get checked without delay. Most breast changes are harmless and not due to breast cancer, but any changes need to be checked, as there is a small chance they could be the first sign of breast cancer. The sooner breast cancer is diagnosed, the quicker treatment can start and will be more effective. Breast cancer is rare in women under 40 years of age, and the risk increases with age.
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WOMEN’S HEALTH
About your breasts
Breasts are made up of lobules and ducts, which are surrounded by tissue that gives your breasts their size and shape.
The breast
The nipple
02. Breast changes throughout life
Before menopause
Breasts feel different at different times during the menstrual cycle (cyclical changes). This is due to the milk-producing tissue becoming active a few days before a period starts. Breasts can feel swollen, tender and lumpy (especially near the armpits) at this time.
After a hysterectomy
After a hysterectomy, your breasts will still show the same cyclical changes and effects until your periods have stopped.
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ENHANCED BREAST SCREENING
WOMEN’S HEALTH
After menopause
The activity in the milk-producing tissue stops, and breasts tend to feel softer and less lumpy.
03. Male breast
Although breasts don't develop in men the way they do in women, all boys are born with a small amount of breast tissue. A lot of things can trigger the hormone imbalance that causes male breast growth, and many times the exact cause isn't known.
Men can also develop breast cancer, so if you feel a lump in your breast, please contact Welbeck’s Enhanced Breast Screening to be seen by a specialist.
04. Gynecomastia symptoms
Your first sign of gynecomastia may be a lump of fatty tissue under the nipple, which can sometimes be tender or sore. Uneven swelling of the breasts may also happen, with one becoming larger than the other.
This condition can be related to a hormonal imbalance or a side effect of medication, although additional tests may be considered to determine a cause.
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WOMEN’S HEALTH
05. Swollen lymph nodes
Lymph nodes are part of the body’s immune system, so swollen lymph nodes are a potential side effect, but a normal immune response to any vaccine. They get your immune system to mount a response to whatever the vaccine agent is.
06. What to look for
All breasts are unique to the individual. Some women have 1 breast larger than the other (asymmetry), and some have lumpy breasts or differently shaped breasts. Some can have differences in nipple appearance, 1 or both may appear pulled in (inverted), which may have occurred at birth or when the breasts were developing.
Your breasts may also look and feel different at different times during your menstrual cycle – it’s best to do a self-examination monthly, around 7 days after your menstrual period starts.
So, knowing what is normal for you is important in order to determine any changes that are different
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ENHANCED BREAST SCREENING
WOMEN’S HEALTH
Types of changes that may occur
A lump or area that feels raised or thicker than the rest of the breast
A change in the appearance of the skin that looks like an orange peel texture, puckering or dimpling
Liquid coming out of the nipple, with or without being squeezed
Redness or a rash around the nipple (areolar area)
A change in the appearance of the nipple such as being pulled in (inverted) or changed shape or position on the breast
Pain in the breast and/or the armpit that is present a majority of the time
A change in the size or shape of the breast
Swelling in the armpit or collarbone
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WOMEN’S HEALTH
07. What if you find a change?
Any change from how your breasts normally look and feel should be looked at by your GP as soon as possible.
There can be many reasons for changes in the breast. Most breast changes are likely to be normal or caused by a benign (not cancerous) breast condition, but it’s always best to find out what’s causing the change. When you see your GP, a breast examination will be done. You may not need any further investigations at this point, or your GP may ask to see you again for a follow-up review or may refer you to a breast clinic. This does not necessarily mean that you have breast cancer. It may simply mean that further investigations and imaging may be needed to figure out what’s going on.
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ENHANCED BREAST SCREENING
WOMEN’S HEALTH
Getting here
Public transport and traffic in our area can be busy, especially in the morning and late afternoon rush hours, so give yourself plenty of time to travel to us. Details of when and where to arrive can be found in your booking letter. Our booking team are on hand to answer any questions, and you’ll find their contact details in the FAQ section of this booklet.
If you’re travelling by public transport, the nearest underground stations are Bond Street and Oxford Circus. There are also bus stops nearby.
If you’re travelling by car, our postcode is W1G 0AR. The nearest car parks are the Q- Park on Oxford Street and the Cavendish Square car park, both less than a 5-minute walk away, and the APCOA car park on Oxford Street (West), which is a 10-minute walk away.
Contact details
Enhanced Breast Screening Welbeck Women’s Health 1 Welbeck Street, London W1G 0AR United Kingdom
+44(0)2036532008
bookings.womenshealth@onewelbeck.com
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Notes
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CONTACT DETAILS
Welbeck Women’s Health 1 Welbeck Street, London W1G 0AR United Kingdom
Telephone: +44(0)2036532008 Email: bookings.womenshealth@onewelbeck.com
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