Breast health and breast cancer
Know the changes to look for, and why seeing a health worker early matters.
✓ Clinically reviewed · Catherine, RN & Juah, RN
When should I get help?
- A new lump or thickening in the breast or armpit.
- Changes in breast shape, skin, or nipple, or fluid from the nipple.
- A breast wound that does not heal.
Key things to remember
- Most breast lumps are not cancer — but get every lump checked.
- Painless lumps still need checking.
- Early treatment works best.
📖 Read the full lesson
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Being a woman and getting older (over 40) are the biggest risk factors; most women who get it have no family history. Other risks include obesity, harmful alcohol use and tobacco.
Know how your breasts normally look and feel. Signs to check include a lump or thickening (often painless), a change in size or shape, dimpling, redness or other skin changes, changes to the nipple, and bloody or unusual fluid from the nipple.
Most breast lumps are not cancer. But any lump should be checked by a health worker, even if it does not hurt.
Treatment works best when cancer is found early and the full treatment is completed.
📚 Sources
- World Health Organization — Breast cancer (fact sheet) 3 Jul 2026 · accessed 1 Nov 2026
Written in plain language from these sources. It does not imply endorsement by these organizations.
HH-ART-025 · Version 1.0 · Last updated 4 Nov 2026
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HerHealth provides educational health information and does not provide medical diagnosis or replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.