Breasts naturally come in different sizes and shapes, and one breast may even be slightly larger than the other – this is normal. It is also normal for breasts to go through changes during your menstrual cycle and throughout your life.

When checking your breasts, the texture should be relatively similar throughout, with some natural lumpiness that feels similar on both sides. The skin on your breasts should appear smooth and even, without noticeable redness, irritation, or unusual skin texture changes.

How to check your breasts

If you notice any changes to your breasts, but do not have breast pain, it is still important that you talk to your doctor so they can investigate further.

Nipples can vary in size, colour and shape. They might stick out, lay flat, or be slightly inverted. There’s no single ‘ideal’ nipple appearance. What’s considered ‘normal’ is simply what’s typical for you.

If you notice any changes to your nipples, such as discharge, pulling in, change in direction, scaliness or an ulcer, talk to your doctor.

A good fitting bra is important as it provides proper support to the breasts, which can improve posture, reduce back and neck pain, enhance comfort, and ensure clothes fit well. There is no link between wearing an ill-fitting bra and breast cancer.

There is no link between wearing an ill-fitting bra and breast cancer, but wearing a supportive and well-fitting bra during the day, a sports bra when doing physical activity and possibly a sleeping bra at night can make a massive difference to your breast health.

Does your bra fit correctly?

A sports bra supports and protects your breasts during exercise. There are many types, and it’s best to get a fitting if you can.

The CoppaFeel! website has some great resources for trans and non-binary people:

The word ‘chest’ is inclusive of all bodies and genders. When we need to be clinically accurate the word ‘breast’ may be used.

Eating healthily, checking your breasts regularly and wearing well fitted bras can help your breasts stay healthy. It’s also important to attend screening appointments when they are offered.

Breast screening (mammogram) is an x-ray of your breasts that checks for cancers that are too small to see or feel. Anyone registered with an NHS doctor as female will be invited for breast screening every three years between the ages of 50 and 71.

For further information on breast screening, visit our page on prevention and protection:

Living well with and beyond Breast Cancer is a self-care programme designed to support patients who have come to the end of their treatment. Maintaining your weight and caring for your skin are just some of the areas of your life they can provide help and support for.

At 8 to 12 weeks after surgery, if you have had no complications, you should be working towards returning to your normal levels of activity. For general health 150 minutes (2½ hours) each week of moderate intensity activity is recommended.

During moderate intensity exercise your heart rate and breathing rate should increase, and you might break into a sweat, but you should still be able to hold a conversation.

For further information on how to live well, visit Live Well Dorset:

Knowing what your breasts feel like when you are healthy is important as it will help you to know when something isn’t quite right. If you notice any changes to your breasts, even if you do not have breast pain, it is still important that you talk to your doctor so they can investigate further.

Breast discomfort and tenderness is common, and not always a sign of something serious. Some injuries to the neck, shoulder or back as well as some medicines like the contraceptive pill that contain hormones can cause breast pain.

Breast pain by itself is unlikely to be a symptom of cancer.  A doctor can evaluate your symptoms and suggest treatment or further tests if needed.

If you have breast pain:

Breast pain linked to your period can start up to two weeks before a period, gets worse and then goes away when the period ends, feels dull, heavy or aching, affects both breasts and sometimes spreads to the armpit. If it continues after your period has stopped, talk to your doctor.

If you notice any changes to your breasts, but do not have breast pain, it is still important that you talk to your doctor so they can investigate further.

If you find a lump or a hard immovable bump in your breast, talk to your doctor. Most breast lumps are harmless, but some can be serious and need further investigation.

If you notice any changes in your breast skin (even if they seem minor), such as dimples, redness, rashes, skin texture changes, puckering, or any unusual appearance on the breast skin, talk to your doctor.

Nipples can vary in size, colour and shape. They might stick out, lay flat, or be slightly inverted. There’s no single ‘ideal’ nipple appearance. What’s considered ‘normal’ is simply what’s typical for you.

If you notice any changes to your nipples, such as discharge, pulling in, change in direction, scaliness or an ulcer, talk to your doctor.

Mastitis is an inflammation of breast tissue. It usually occurs during breastfeeding if the baby isn’t feeding correctly or if a milk duct is blocked, but you can also get mastitis if you’re not breastfeeding.

A breast abscess is a painful build-up of pus in the breast caused by an infection. It mainly affects women who are breastfeeding. A breast abscess needs treatment in a hospital. Symptoms of a breast abscess may include:

You’re more likely to have a breast abscess if you have recently had a breast infection (mastitis) or if you’ve had a breast abscess before.

Very large, heavy breasts can be caused by genetics, hormonal changes or weight fluctuations. They can lead to physical discomfort, or pressure on your back, shoulders or neck. You may also experience skin irritation, rashes and skin infections under the breasts; grooves on the shoulders from bra straps and psychological distress, such as low self-esteem or depression.

Correctly fitting underwear and clothing can help to ease symptoms but talk to your doctor if you are struggling with very large or heavy breasts.

Breast reduction surgery can be part of breast cancer treatment or for those unhappy with the shape, weight or droop of their breasts. It can be used to even the size of breasts when there is one much larger than the other.

It is usually not covered by the NHS if it’s for cosmetic reasons.

Each area has its own guidelines on when breast reductions can be carried out on the NHS, so talk to your doctor if you are struggling with very large breasts.

Breast cancer forms in breast tissue. Breast tissue is not only in your breasts, it goes all the way up to your collarbone and under your armpit. Everyone has breast tissue – people of all ages, races and genders. If breast cancer is diagnosed early, it can often be treated successfully.

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, after treatment you will have regular talks with your cancer doctor or with your breast care nurse.

For further information on breast cancer, visit our page on cancer:

Living well with and beyond Breast Cancer is a self-care programme designed to support patients who have come to the end of their treatment. Maintaining your weight and caring for your skin are just some of the areas of your life they can provide help and support for.

At 8 to 12 weeks after surgery, if you have had no complications, you should be working towards returning to your normal levels of activity. For general health 150 minutes (2½ hours) each week of moderate intensity activity is recommended.

During moderate intensity exercise your heart rate and breathing rate should increase, and you might break into a sweat, but you should still be able to hold a conversation.

The best way to spot early signs of breast cancer is to attend routine and regular mammogram screening and to regularly check your breasts for changes.

Breast screening (mammogram) is an x-ray of your breasts that checks for cancers that are too small to see or feel. Anyone registered with an NHS doctor as female will be invited for breast screening every three years between the ages of 50 and 71.

You may get a referral for more tests or to see a specialist at a breast clinic if your doctor thinks you have symptoms that could be cancer. This does not definitely mean you have cancer.

For further information on breast screening, visit our page on prevention and protection: