For many women all their problems would be solved if they just had bigger breasts. At the same time an equal amount of women wished they had smaller breasts. Why? The media plays a huge part in making people feel this way – let’s face it, every time we look at the celebrities we see fake breasts and plastic surgery – making us feel that whatever we have is just not good enough. Nowadays people are confused with what is actually ‘natural’ and what is unnatural thanks to the media and celebrity world.
The most important thing is that women need to be happy with what they’ve got – being happy in their own skin. It may be easier said than done but accepting your own body and making the most of what you’ve got will make a huge difference to a woman’s self-esteem. Also, many men prefer their women to be natural and falseness is a turn-off because the celebrity world is not real life.
Some Breast Facts
- During puberty, the female body produces the hormone oestrogen, which causes the breasts to grow.
- Puberty in girls typically begins between the ages of 8 and 15.
- It takes about five years for the breasts to reach their ‘final’ size.
- Very few breasts are symmetrical: most women have one larger than the other or one that hangs lower than the other.
- Breasts are made up of between 15 and 20 ‘lobes’ each containing clusters of glands that produce milk. The remainder of the breast is made up of fatty and connective tissue.
- The size of the breast does not affect a woman’s ability to breastfeed.
- In later life, the glands in the breasts shrink and the fat content increases. This can cause some women’s breasts to grow while others may notice a reduction in size.
- The dark area of skin surrounding the nipple is called the areola and this often darkens further during pregnancy.
- Like breasts, nipples come in all shapes and sizes and can be pointed, flat or even inverted.
- Some women experience pain and tenderness in their breasts around the time of their period. This is linked to hormonal changes in the body.
- There is no ‘normal’ shape for breasts. However, the NHS advises that women should be aware of any sudden changes in the shape, texture or size of their breasts and voice any concerns to their GP.
- Breast cancer accounts for 1 in 3 cases of cancer in women.
Inverted Nipples
Inverted nipples are common. If they have been that way for a long time there is unlikely to be any problem. If it has only happened over the past year or so a doctor should be consulted, particularly if there are any lumps or discharges. If you’re concerned about your breasts book an appointment to see your GP.
Breast Cancer Awareness
Breast cancer is now the most common cancer in the UK. More than 100 women are diagnosed with the disease every day. The risk of breast cancer increases with age. Four out of five cases occur after the age of 50. In the UK women aged between 50 and 64 are offered screening for breast cancer every three years – it is important to attend screening whenever you are invited.
- Examine your breasts regularly.
- Get to know their normal look and feel.
- Look out for any lumps, dimpling, thickening or change in shape and size.
- Attend free breast screening if you are between 50 and 70 years old and if you notice any changes contact your GP straight away.
More women survive breast cancer today thanks to earlier detection and better treatments. But it is a common disease and the number of cases is rising. For more information please visit the Cancer Research UK website.
Breast Cancer in Men
In men, breast cancer is very rare. There are about 300 men diagnosed each year in the UK, compared with more than 45,500 cases of breast cancer in women. That’s about one man for every 140 women diagnosed. However it does mean that men do get breast cancer and so awareness is very important. For more information please visit the Cancer Research UK website.
Womens Health