Regular breast checks are being promoted to help reduce cancer risk and identify changes early.
Consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon Dennis Remoundos and consultant Gael MacLean, who both work with private healthcare provider Welbeck, are encouraging people to become familiar with their breasts and report any unusual changes.
Remoundos recommended establishing a regular routine for looking for and feeling changes.
Monthly checks were advised for premenopausal women, with approximately 10 days after the end of the period considered an appropriate time.
Changes that may require professional advice include a lump, altered skin or nipples, discharge, or differences in breast size and shape.
MacLean said Welbeck provides access to specialist breast examinations, consultations with experienced surgeons, general risk discussions and family-history assessments.
Patients may also receive mammography, ultrasound or a biopsy when required.
The organisation’s breast cancer surgeons work in both the NHS and private sectors and provide leading-edge care, according to MacLean.
The consultants hope Breast Cancer Awareness Month will prompt people across the country to incorporate self-examination into their everyday routines.
Awareness events and dedicated days can help people recognise changes, while earlier detection can lead to improved outcomes and access to treatment sooner.
Remoundos said more than 58,000 new breast cancer cases are recorded in the UK each year, with one in seven women expected to develop the disease during their lifetime.
He described breast cancer as a common condition and said greater awareness and earlier detection improve the chances of successful treatment.
Available treatments include surgery, hormone therapy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Remoundos also referred to newer medicines introduced to the market during the previous five to 10 years, which have expanded treatment choices and can support good life expectancy.
In addition to self-checks, Remoundos and MacLean recommend regular exercise, avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol consumption to help lower breast cancer risk.