The Journey to Breast Health Belongs to You.

Know What’s Normal, Catch What’s Not

Your breasts are more than just part of your body. They are a symbol of nurture, womanhood, beauty, and identity. They carry stories of growth, motherhood, and resilience.

For some, they represent the power to give life. For others, they are a reminder of femininity, confidence, and self-expression.

But beyond what the world sees, your breasts are yours—a sacred part of your health and wholeness.

Understanding them, caring for them, and protecting them is your responsibility and your right.

Understanding Your Breast: Knowing What’s Normal, Catching What’s Not

Your breasts change over time through puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause. Learning what’s normal helps you notice changes that matter.

Every woman’s breasts feel different. Some are soft, some are firm, some have areas that feel slightly lumpy.

Hormones affect how your breasts feel and look, so changes during your cycle or life stages are normal.

What matters most is what’s normal for you.

Take charge of your breast health: learn how to detect early signs, understand your risks, navigate treatment with strength, and support yourself or a loved one.

The Breast

The Symbol of Nurture, Strength, and Identity

Your breasts are made up of glands (which produce milk), ducts (which carry milk), fatty tissue, and connective tissue.

Every woman’s breasts feel different. Some are soft, some are firm, and some have areas that feel slightly lumpy.

Hormones also play a big part in how your breasts feel.

You might notice changes during your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or menopause. That’s completely normal.

Remember: what’s normal varies from person to person. What matters most is what’s normal for you.

Act . Take Charge of Your Health

Awareness without action changes nothing.

Knowing about breast health is only the first step. Real impact happens when you act, whether it’s taking care of yourself, supporting others, or seeking help when needed. Here’s how you can make a difference today:

Book a Screening

How To Perform Your Breast Self-Examination

Early detection saves lives

Know your body. Detect changes early

Early detection saves lives.
Regular check-ups and screenings are essential, especially if you are at higher risk due to age, family history, or other factors.

BreastScreen Australia: Free screening mammograms for eligible women aged 40 to 74 years. No referral is required.

Spectrum Medical Imaging: Diagnostic mammograms for women with symptoms or referrals from a healthcare professional.

1. In the Mirror

Stand tall with your shoulders straight and arms on your hips.
Look for changes in shape, size, skin texture, or color.
Check if nipples have changed direction, inverted, or show discharge.

2. Raise Your Arms

Lift your arms above your head and check again.
Look for any dimpling, swelling, or unevenness.

3. In the Shower

Use the pads of your three middle fingers.
Move in small circles — from collarbone to bra line, armpit to sternum.
Feel for lumps, thickened tissue, or pain.

4. Lying Down

Place a pillow under your shoulder.
Move your fingers in circular motions across the breast.
Check your armpit and upper chest areas too.

What To Look For

New lump or thickened area
Change in size, shape, or feel
Discharge (especially bloody or clear)
Dimpling, puckering, or redness
Pain that doesn’t go away

Support Someone in Treatment

You do not have to face breast cancer alone

Supporting a loved one through diagnosis treatment or recovery can make a significant difference in their emotional and physical wellbeing

Offer to accompany them to appointments or screenings
Help with daily tasks meals or childcare during treatment
Provide emotional support listening without judgment and encouraging them to follow medical advice

Being breast aware means knowing your normal and checking in regularly.The best time to do a self-exam is a few days after your period ends, when your breasts are least tender.If you no longer have periods, just choose one day each month and make it your check-in day.

Normal Experiences

Slight tenderness or fullness before your period
Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle often cause breasts to feel sore, swollen, or heavy.
This is temporary and typically resolves after menstruation
Small, consistent lumpiness (especially in both breasts)
Many women naturally have lumpy or nodular breast tissue.
If the lumps feel similar every month and appear in both breasts, this is usually normal.
Subtle size differences between your breasts
It’s normal for one breast to be slightly larger or shaped differently than the other.
Changes during pregnancy or breastfeeding
Breasts may become larger, firmer, or tender as milk ducts and glands develop.
These changes are part of your body adapting to nourish a baby.
Softer or less dense breasts after menopause
After menopause, hormone levels drop, and glandular tissue is replaced with fatty tissue, making breasts softer.

Key Rule

Even though these changes are normal, any new, unusual, or persistent changes—like a new lump, discharge, dimpling, or persistent pain should be checked by a healthcare professional.

Request Support

Help is available and you do not have to navigate this alone

Whether you need emotional, financial, or medical guidance, reaching out for support is a strength, not a weakness. RBH provides confidential, reliable help for every step of your breast health journey.

Connect with trained counselors, patient navigators, and support groups who understand what you’re going through.