October - Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Get your breasts examined, stay healthy

Breast cancer remains the most common malignancy among women in ^Poland1. This means dozens of new diagnoses every day and more than a dozen deaths every day. As our expert Dr. Antonina Lisowska, Specialist in Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, points out: The statistics are frightening... about 15 Polish women a day die of breast cancer, and about 20,000 a year hear that they have breast cancer. Unfortunately, breast cancer has been among the leading causes of cancer deaths in Polish women for several years - second only to ^lung cancer1. The disease can develop asymptomatically for a long time, which is why regular breast examinations and oncological vigilance are so important.

It is worth remembering that the risk of developing the disease increases with age (the highest incidence is observed after 50 years of ^age2) and with certain genetic and lifestyle factors (including BRCA1/2 mutation burden, long-term hormone replacement therapy, being overweight, low physical activity or ^alcohol consumption2). However, breast cancer can affect any woman, including younger women and those without clear risk factors - so prevention concerns us all.

"Breast examination is very important because it is able to protect us from death. Why do we examine our breasts? To detect breast cancer earlier," explains Dr Szczyt Clinic's expert. We have no influence on whether we will get sick, but we have influence on the moment of detecting a possible change. Medicine today has effective treatments, provided the cancer is diagnosed early enough.

Importantly, breast cancer does not affect only women. Although the incidence of men accounts for less than 1% of all cases, men can also develop breast^cancer1. Men have residual glandular breast tissue, which can also become a source of cancer. - Urge your partners to get examined too - it is much easier to detect a lump in the breast in men, the expert reminds. So if any gentleman senses a thickening or lump in the nipple area, he should also see a doctor.

Regular prevention is our most effective weapon in the fight against breast cancer - both in the form of monthly self-examination and periodic imaging examinations (ultrasound, mammography). October - Breast Cancer Awareness Month - is the perfect time to start taking care of yourself and encourage other women to do the same.

Breast self-examination - your monthly ritual

The simplest, completely free examination that any woman can perform on her own is regular breast self-examination. Experts recommend that every woman over the age of 20 should carefully examine and grope her breasts once a month. It is best to always perform the self-examination at about the same time of the monthly cycle (for example, a few days after the end of menstruation, when the breasts are not swollen or tender). The idea is to become well acquainted with the structure of your own breasts and be able to quickly notice any disturbing change - a thickening, a lump, a pulling in of the skin or nipple, a change in shape, discharge from the nipple, etc.

Let's remember that you get examined not to detect disease, but to make sure you are healthy. In practice, most self-detected lesions fortunately turn out to be benign. However, if you notice anything suspicious, don't delay visiting your doctor - it's best to see a gynecologist or general practitioner right away, who will direct further diagnostics.

Regular self-examination significantly increases the chance of early detection of a tumor. Studies show that women who regularly check their breasts have up to tens of percent lower risk of dying from breast cancer than those who do not.² So it's worth developing this monthly habit - it's just 10 minutes that can save a life.

How to perform a breast self-examination? Step-by-step instructions

It is a good idea to perform breast self-examination once a month, preferably a few days after the end of your period (breasts are then less sensitive and easier to feel changes). If you do not have your period - choose one fixed day in the month. The whole procedure takes a few minutes.

Step 1 Preparation

• Stand in front of a mirror in a well-lit area.
• Undress to the waist and lift your arms up to see the shape and symmetry of your breasts clearly.

Step 2 Viewing the breasts

Check if you can't see:

• Changes in the shape and size of the breasts,
• skin pulls or warts,
• Redness, ulceration or swelling,
• Atypical discharge from the nipple.

Step 3 Standing palpation examination

• Raise your left hand behind your head and use your right hand to explore your left breast.
• Use the pads of your three middle fingers to make circular, gentle movements.
• Start from the outer part of the breast and gradually move towards the nipple.
• Examine the entire breast: top, bottom, sides and the nipple itself.
• Repeat for the other breast.

You can examine the breast in a circular (from the outer part to the center), radial (from the nipple outward) or "striped" (top to bottom) manner. The most important thing is to cover the entire breast.

Step 4 Examination of lymph nodes

• Check for enlarged, hard nodes under the armpit and above the collarbone.

5. examination in the supine position

• Lie on your back.
• Place a pillow or rolled up towel under your arm on the side of the breast to be examined (the breast will flatten and be easier to examine).
• Repeat the palpation examination as in the standing position.

What should you be concerned about?

• A lump or thickening in the breast,
• A change in the size or shape of the breasts,
• skin pulling or warts,
• Redness, ulceration, "orange" peel,
• discharge from the nipple (bloody, purulent, watery),
• Enlarged lymph nodes under the armpit.

If you notice any of these changes, don't panic, but don't delay - contact your doctor and get an imaging test (such as a breast ultrasound).

Breast ultrasound - a safe test for younger women

Ultrasonography (ultrasound) of the breast is the primary imaging test recommended for younger women, starting around age 20-25. Unlike mammography (which uses X-rays), ultrasound uses ultrasound waves, so it is completely safe and can be repeated as often as needed. Doctors recommend performing a preventive breast ultrasound once a year - especially if you are a young woman or starting to use hormonal contraception. We start roughly around the age of 20, and if a young girl is taking contraception, we start breast diagnostics once a year when she starts the pill." - explains the expert. In women before 40, the breasts are mainly made up of dense glandular tissue, so any changes are better visible just on ultrasound than on mammography (on mammography, the dense tissue can "obscure" small nodules).

Breast ultrasound is quick, usually taking only several minutes. - Breast ultrasound is not a painful examination, while it can be an unpleasant examination (for example, just before your period, breasts are more sensitive). But what is very important - it really doesn't matter what day of your cycle you go in, the examination can always be performed. During the examination, the doctor, using an ultrasound transducer, carefully views a cross-section of your breast on a monitor and can assess the presence of any changes (and distinguish, for example, a cyst from a solid lump).

It is worth noting that breast ultrasound is also indicated in men when there is a suspicion of a lesion (in men it is performed similarly to the ladies). Also, pregnant or breastfeeding women can safely have a breast ultrasound if necessary - in this group it is the preferred imaging method (mammography in pregnancy is discouraged).

At Dr Szczyt ' s clinic, we offer professional breast ultrasound as part of our diagnostic laboratory - the examination is carried out by experienced specialists, taking care of patients' comfort. We also provide further support in interpreting the result and possible surgical consultation if the result requires expanded diagnosis or treatment. We encourage every woman, especially young women, to have regular breast ultrasound examinations - it is an investment in a healthy future.

Mammography - a key test after age 40

Mammography is an X-ray examination of the breast and is the most effective method of early detection of breast cancer in mature women. It can reveal lesions so small that they cannot be felt by hand - often long before symptoms appear. The test involves taking two X-ray projections of each breast. The radiation dose is minimal (about 1/6 of the annual dose of natural background ^radiation2), so the test is safe. Mammography takes only a few minutes and requires no special preparation - the only inconvenience may be the momentary compression of the breast between the camera plates.

When should mammography be performed? Polish and world medical societies recommend starting mammography screening from around age 40, every two years. Poland has a Population-based Program for Early Detection of Breast Cancer, under which all ladies aged 45-74 can have a preventive mammogram every two years free of charge and without a referral. All you have to do is go to any mammography laboratory with a contract with the National Health Fund (or to a special mammobus, which regularly reaches even small towns). We encourage you to take advantage of these examinations - thanks to mammography, the mortality rate due to breast cancer in the screened population can be reduced by up to^25-30%2. Unfortunately, still only about 20-40% of eligible Polish women report for screening, which translates into later detection of many cancers. Remember - mammography can save lives if you perform it regularly.

If the result of the mammogram raises any doubts (e.g., the radiologist sees a suspicious lesion), the patient will be referred for further tests - usually breast ultrasound or biopsy. This does not always mean cancer - most such lesions turn out to be benign, but it always needs to be checked by a doctor. It is also important to consult any mammogram result with your doctor. If you have images from previous years, it is worth keeping them and comparing them with the new ones - this makes it easier to detect even small changes. If you have any doubts or questions after the test, you are welcome to consult with the specialists of Dr Szczyt Clinic, who will interpret the result and suggest appropriate further treatment.

Breasts with implants - what is worth remembering?

Ladies with breast implants also need to take care of prophylaxis - both oncological and related to checking the implants themselves. Implants do not protect against cancer (because it develops from the breast's own tissue), and sometimes they can even make it difficult to feel small lumps on their own. An ultrasound examination of breasts with implants looks the same as in women without implants, but often takes a little longer and requires additional knowledge from the doctor - you need to know how these implants should be positioned, what is an anomaly and what is not. This is because it is important to distinguish possible lesions from the image of the implants themselves and the surgical scars. An experienced specialist can assess this, so it is worthwhile to perform ultrasound at proven facilities. At our clinic, we have many years of experience in breast diagnostics with implants - both radiological and surgical.

Equally important, regular examinations allow you to control the condition of the implants. I also remind you that especially ladies who have implants in their breasts should keep this in mind for two reasons. No longer just for cancer prevention, but also to control the condition of the implants." - emphasizes the expert. Implants can undergo certain changes over the years (such as rupture, gel leakage or scarring of the capsule), so periodic ultrasound evaluation is the best way to rule out complications and make sure everything is in order.

Our clinic provides full care for patients with breast implants. We offer not only professional check-ups, but also advice on follow-up, such as when implant replacement or additional examinations are indicated. If you have implants, don't forget about prevention - for your own safety, examine both your breasts and the implants themselves regularly.

Don't delay - take care of yourself today

October's actions and pink symbols remind us of one thing - awareness and action save lives. In the flurry of daily affairs, it's easy to push aside thinking about one's own health. However, the stories of thousands of women show that it is worth taking that first step. Breast cancer is not a sentence provided it is detected and treated early enough.

Don't delay and get your breasts examined - either on your own or by a specialist. Make an appointment for a preventive ultrasound or mammogram, persuade your mother, sister or friend to go with you. If something worries you - get a professional medical consultation. Remember that time is of the essence in breast cancer prevention.

Finally, we also encourage you to expand your knowledge - on our YouTube channel in the podcast "The Peak of Beauty" we publish interviews with specialists and inspiring patient stories. Educate yourself, be aware and share this knowledge with other women. Your health is in your hands - examine your breasts regularly, because it's really worth it!

Bibliography

1. Breast cancer, elaboration, Tomasz Jastrzębski, M.D., prof. ndzw. GUMed, Department of Oncologic Surgery, University Clinical Center in Gdańsk, onkonet - Oncology service for patients and doctors, accessed 15.09.2025
2. Patient Guide: As many as 20,000 women learn about it annually. Breast cancer - how to prevent it effectively, National Health Fund, accessed 15.09.2025

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