Dr Cihan Uras is urging people to carry out the simple check
Breast cancer remains the most prevalent cancer affecting women globally, with one woman receiving a diagnosis every ten minutes across the UK.
Studies have revealed that the percentage of women examining their breasts has declined from 49% in 2022 to merely 45% in 2024.
Dr Cihan Uras, a breast cancer surgeon with more than 35 years of expertise at Acıbadem Hospitals, is determined to spread awareness about effective breast examination techniques, advocating for everyone to begin this Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October).
Examining your breasts once a month could mean the difference between early detection and discovering it too late, requiring less time than brewing a cup of tea.
Dr Cihan Uras explains:. “Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, but when it’s detected early, survival rates are very high. The best thing you can do for yourself is to be familiar with your own body and notice changes quickly. A self-check takes only three minutes.”
Professor Metin outlines how to carry out the three-minute examination on ourselves, which ought to be performed once monthly to identify early alterations.
Step one – look in the mirror (1 minute)
“The first thing you should do is stand somewhere topless with a mirror in front of you. Stand with your shoulders straight, with your hands on your hips, and look in the mirror for any noticeable differences. As you do this more often, these differences will be easier to spot. The initial signs to look out for include skin dimpling, any redness, rashes or changes to the nipple, particularly inversion or discharge.”
Step two – raise your arms (30 seconds)
“While standing in front of the mirror, lift your arms above your head. Look for any changes in contour, any swelling that’s appeared, or any pulling of the skin.Raising your arms stretches the breast tissue and skin, making subtle changes more visible, especially puckering or pulling of the skin that may not be very noticeable when your arms are by your side. It can also help reveal differences in movement between the two sides.”
Step three – feel while standing and lying down (90 seconds)
“When you’re lying down, use the flat of your fingertips to feel around your breasts in circular motions. Ensure that you cover the entire breast from top to bottom, as well as side to side. Don’t forget to reach right up to your armpit area too. Apply different pressures; light, medium and firm, to ensure you’re feeling all layers of the breast tissue.You should be feeling for any thickened areas, any unusual tenderness, not to be confused with pushing down too hard, and of course any lumps.”
What next?
“If you do discover a lump, don’t immediately panic as most are not cancerous. However, always get it checked as soon as possible by a medical professional, just in case it is cancerous. The chances are, you would’ve spotted it early, especially if you’re doing this every month, and your doctor can begin any treatment sooner rather than later.The best time to do these checks is a few days after your period ends, when you’re less likely to experience tender breasts due to your cycle. For women who no longer get periods, picking the same time each month will just help you get into a better routine.”
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