Skin changes such as puckering and dimpling
Puckering or dimpling of the skin can look similar to orange peel.
Changing the Face of Breast Cancer
We’re #ChangingTheFaceOfBreastCancer.
Picture this, the face of breast cancer – what do you see? Perhaps it’s an older female figure, maybe it’s someone in their late 60s who has visible laughter lines that we so lovingly refer to as wrinkles or it could be that you’re reminded of a JustGiving page you’ve seen in memory of someone. But, did the words breast cancer make you think of a young person? Nope? That’s why CoppaFeel! are here.
Whilst most of the time a breast cancer diagnosis may come later on in life and the images we’re subject to in the media around the narrative of breast cancer are of elderly, frail-looking women, this isn’t a true representation of the face of breast cancer. Our research highlights that only one-third of young people view breast cancer as something that could affect them.
With a need to drive the relevancy of chest checking behaviours amongst this age group, we worked with adam&eve to create ‘Changing the Face of Breast Cancer’. By telling the stories of three young people diagnosed in their early twenties, we’re shifting the perception of what someone with breast cancer looks like. CoppaFeel! are on a mission to drive behaviour change and get every young person to check their chest. This is important because early diagnosis means better outcomes to treatment and can be life-saving.
Don’t put off checking your chest. Breast cancer can affect anyone at any age. Sign up to our monthly text reminders today by texting CHECK to 82228.
Meet Brodie; diagnosed with Breast Cancer at age 24
Read Brodie's story
Meet Anisa; diagnosed with Breast Cancer at age 22
At 22 years old, I found myself with a breast cancer diagnosis and a newfound appreciation for understanding your own body - Anisa’s Story | Read more
We’re #ChangingTheFaceOfBreastCancer, to debunk stereotypes of what ‘someone with breast cancer’ looks like. In Anisa’s case, she was 22. You’re never too young to start checking your chest, it could save your life.
I would say I had a really good understanding of breast cancer; I did my degree in the medical field and so I didn’t feel like it posed a threat to me, or anyone young for that matter. However, at 22 years old, I found myself with a breast cancer diagnosis and a newfound appreciation for understanding your own body.
I found my lump completely by chance as someone had mentioned to me earlier in the day that I should check myself, but it’s something I’ve never consciously done before. When in the shower, I decided to have a feel around and came across a lump in my right breast. I thought at first that it couldn’t be sinister and even managed to convince myself that if I just went to sleep, it would be gone by the morning. Despite this, my mind was playing tricks on me; one minute I was thinking it must have bruised myself, and the next I was worrying that I may be ignoring something bad. I couldn’t stop thinking about it so I asked my friend whether she’d ever checked herself and she told me it wasn’t something she did. This helped to ease my mind and reassure me a little, as it obviously wasn’t something my peers were thinking about.
However, I knew something wasn’t right. I know my body and I couldn’t ignore my gut so the next day, I contacted my GP who booked me in right away and I was referred to a breast clinic for further scans. I was so scared and rang my parents who were overseas at the time, but helped to calm me down and reframe my thoughts so I didn’t become overwhelmed with worry. They were the only people I told as I didn’t want to worry my siblings or friends, so I ended up going to my follow up appointment on my own. I will never forget sitting in the waiting room and looking around to see that I was the only young person in the room. I clung to this as an ounce of hope that surely someone of my age couldn’t get breast cancer.
This hope was further increased when the consultant told me that my lump was more likely to be fibroadenoma which was easily treated cosmetically. I went into my ultrasound with positive thoughts but that’s when I knew something was wrong. The doctors rushed around me and were calling different, more senior members of staff to look at the screen. Next thing I know, I’m having a biopsy as they wanted to test the tissue.
After all the drama of the ultrasound, I went back to see the consultant who dismissed all my worries and told me that I didn’t have anything to worry about. According to them, my ultrasound results were nothing like I was describing and from what they knew, there was no mention of a biopsy in my notes. It was at this moment that I realised how misinformed the consultant was, and after pushing for further information, I found out they were reading from someone else’s report! I always think how lucky I was to have felt confident enough to advocate for myself and speak up when I felt something was wrong. I could have easily believed them and walked out of the hospital that day thinking the lump was benign. It wasn’t and I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
The next 12 months consisted of 6 rounds of chemotherapy, a single mastectomy, months of radiotherapy and will continue to be monitored. It was the hardest year of my life but I’m so grateful for the support system I had around me. My mental health was impacted significantly as I felt so stuck compared to my peers who were following their dreams. I had been accepted into medical school but now my life looks a little different. I’m proud of where I am and have learnt such valuable lessons from the experience. I want to continue to tell my story with the hope that more young people will understand that breast cancer doesn’t just affect older women. No matter who you are, you need to be checking yourself!
My advice for young people is to be confident in advocating for yourself. It takes confidence and self-belief but if I hadn’t persisted with my consultant, I might not have been so lucky. Check your chest monthly and get to know your body. I could save your life like it did mine!
Meet Shannon; diagnosed with Breast Cancer at age 21
Signs and symptoms of breast cancer
Unusual lump or swelling in your armpit, or around your collarbone
It is important to check your upper chest and armpits as well. These areas can also be affected by breast cancer.
Unusual lumps and thickening
If you get to know how your chest feels normally, it will be easier to notice any unusual changes. These might be new lumps or one part of your chest starting to feel thicker than the rest.
Liquid coming from your nipple
This is liquid that comes from your nipple without you squeezing it.
A sudden, unusual change in size or shape
Many people naturally have one breast or pec bigger than the other. Breasts or pecs can also gradually change as you get older. Many changes are perfectly normal. But if you notice a sudden, unusual change in size or shape, see your GP as soon as possible.
Nipple is pulled inwards or changes direction
It is important to pay special attention to your nipple during your monthly checks. Look to see if your nipple has become pulled into your breast or pec, or looks different to usual. This could be a change in its position or shape.
A rash or crusting on or around your nipple
There are lots of reasons why your skin could become irritated, especially if you are breastfeeding. Get it checked out if you notice a change in colour*, a rash or crusting on or around your nipple.
* Your skin tone may make a difference to how this looks.
On Black skin, the area may go darker than the surrounding area. You may notice small spots in the area, sometimes you can notice changes in colour such as purple, yellow or grey.
On brown skin tones, redness may be more maroon (brownish-red) and the area may go darker than the surrounding area. On white skin this may look pink or red.
Constant, unusual pain in your breast or pec, or armpit
Some pain can be perfectly normal, especially around your periods if you have them. Be aware of any unexplained pain in your breast, pec, or your armpit that is there all or almost all of the time.
