October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2026, putting renewed focus on early detection, timely diagnosis and access to breast cancer care in Gauteng and around the world. From 1 to 31 October, the World Health Organization is marking the month under the theme, “Every story is unique, every journey matters,” as breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women globally.
For Gauteng residents, the message is practical. Know what is normal for your breasts, pay attention to unexplained changes and seek medical advice when something appears unusual. Breast cancer mainly affects women, but men can also develop the disease.
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Breast cancer remains a major global health concern
According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 2.4 million women worldwide were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024 and approximately 694 000 died from the disease.
About 8.2 million women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer during the previous five years were living with the disease at the end of 2024.
Breast cancer can occur at any age after puberty, although the incidence increases later in life. Importantly, having no family history does not mean a person cannot develop breast cancer.
The WHO says approximately 80% of breast cancers occur in women with no specific risk factors other than being female and increasing age.
What are the warning signs of breast cancer?
Breast cancer does not present in exactly the same way in every person. Some people may notice a lump, while others may first notice changes to their skin, nipple or the shape of a breast.
Women of all ages should be aware of changes in their breasts and seek medical advice when something unusual develops.
Possible warning signs include:
- A new breast lump or thickening
- Swelling of all or part of the breast
- A lump or swelling in the armpit
- A change in the size or shape of a breast
- Skin dimpling or puckering
- Unexplained redness or changes to the breast skin
- A nipple that changes position or turns inward
- Redness, scaliness or thickening around the nipple
- Unusual nipple discharge, particularly bloody discharge
- Persistent breast or nipple changes that are unusual for you
These symptoms do not automatically mean that a person has cancer. Breast changes can also result from non cancerous conditions such as cysts, infections or hormonal changes.
However, a new or unexplained change should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
How to check your breasts at home
Knowing how your breasts normally look and feel can make it easier to recognise a new change.
Formal breast self examination is not considered a replacement for mammography, clinical examinations or other screening recommended by a healthcare professional. Breastcancer.org notes that several medical organisations no longer recommend formal breast self examination as a standalone screening method because studies have not shown a meaningful improvement in breast cancer survival.
Instead, the emphasis is increasingly on breast self awareness. This means becoming familiar with what is normal for your breasts so that you can recognise changes.
People who prefer a structured approach can use the following steps when checking their breasts.
Step 1: Look at your breasts in the mirror
Stand in front of a mirror with your shoulders straight and your hands on your hips.
Look at both breasts and pay attention to their usual size, shape and appearance.
Check for changes such as:
- Dimpling or puckering of the skin
- Unexplained swelling
- A noticeable change in breast shape or size
- Redness or a persistent rash
- A nipple that has changed position
- A nipple that has recently turned inward
The aim is to identify something that looks different from what is normal for your body.
Step 2: Raise your arms and look again
Raise both arms above your head and examine your breasts again.
Look for the same changes in the breast shape, skin and nipples.
Changing position can make some changes easier to notice than when your arms are resting at your sides.
Step 3: Look for unusual nipple discharge
While standing in front of the mirror, look for unexpected fluid coming from either nipple.
Nipple discharge can be watery, milky, yellow or bloody and can have several causes.
It does not automatically mean that a person has breast cancer. However, new or unexplained discharge should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
Step 4: Feel your breasts while lying down
Lie down and use your right hand to feel your left breast and your left hand to feel your right breast.
Use the pads of your fingers and keep your fingers flat and together. Move them in small circular motions while checking the breast tissue.
Cover the entire breast area from the collarbone towards the upper abdomen and from the armpit towards the centre of the chest.
Use different levels of pressure to feel the tissue at different depths and pay attention to any new lump, thickening or area that feels different from what is normal for you.
Step 5: Feel your breasts while standing
Repeat the process while standing or sitting.
Some people find it easier to feel their breasts in the shower because the skin is wet and slippery.
Check the entire breast and surrounding area, including towards the armpit.
The purpose is not to diagnose breast cancer yourself. It is to understand what is normal for your body and recognise when something changes.
What should you do if you find a breast lump?
Finding a lump does not automatically mean you have breast cancer. Many breast lumps are caused by non cancerous conditions.
However, a new lump or unexplained breast change should not simply be ignored.
Speak to a healthcare professional if you notice a lump or another change that is new, persists or becomes more noticeable.
Depending on the person’s age and circumstances, a healthcare professional may conduct a physical examination and recommend imaging such as an ultrasound or mammogram. Further investigation may be required if the results raise concerns.
Even someone who recently had a normal mammogram should seek medical advice if a new breast change subsequently develops rather than waiting for the next routine screening.
What increases the risk of breast cancer?
According to the WHO, several factors are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
These include increasing age, obesity, alcohol consumption, family history of breast cancer, previous radiation exposure, reproductive history and tobacco use.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer says obesity and alcohol consumption are known causes of breast cancer. The agency estimated that the two factors were responsible for more than 250 000 breast cancer cases worldwide in 2022.
Having one or more risk factors does not mean that someone will develop breast cancer. Likewise, having no known modifiable risk factors does not mean there is no risk.
Men can also develop breast cancer
Breast cancer is far more common among women, but men can also develop the disease because men have breast tissue.
Male breast cancer is rare, accounting for less than 1% of breast cancer cases.
Possible warning signs in men include a firm breast lump, particularly around the nipple, a lump in the armpit, nipple discharge, an inverted nipple and unexplained changes to the skin of the breast or chest.
Men who notice a new breast lump or persistent nipple or skin change should seek medical assessment.
Early diagnosis and treatment remain critical
The WHO Global Breast Cancer Initiative aims to reduce breast cancer mortality globally by 2.5% each year, potentially preventing 2.5 million deaths by 2040.
The initiative has three key targets:
- At least 60% of invasive breast cancers should be diagnosed at stage one or two
- Diagnosis should occur within 60 days of the first detection or presentation of symptoms at a health facility
- At least 80% of people diagnosed with breast cancer should receive the recommended complete treatment
The targets recognise that finding cancer is only one part of improving outcomes. Patients also need timely diagnosis, appropriate treatment and continued care.
Global inequalities remain significant. WHO figures indicate that about 41% of women diagnosed with breast cancer in low income countries are expected to survive for at least five years, compared with 87% in high income countries.
What This Means for Gauteng Residents
Breast Cancer Awareness Month gives Gauteng residents an opportunity to become more familiar with their breast health and understand the changes that should prompt medical attention.
Checking your breasts can help you recognise something unusual, but it should not replace appropriate medical screening or assessment.
Residents should seek medical advice after discovering a new lump, persistent swelling, nipple change, unexplained discharge, skin dimpling or another change that is unusual for them.
People who are concerned about their family history or other breast cancer risk factors can also speak to a healthcare professional about an appropriate individual screening plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the theme for Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2026?
The WHO theme for 2026 is “Every story is unique, every journey matters.” It recognises that every person experiences breast cancer differently and highlights the importance of diagnosis, treatment, support and access to care.
How do I check my breasts for changes?
Look at your breasts in a mirror with your arms in different positions, check for nipple or skin changes and feel the entire breast and armpit area for new lumps or thickening. The goal is to know what is normal for you so that you can identify changes.
Does a breast lump always mean cancer?
No. Many breast lumps are caused by non cancerous conditions. A new or unexplained lump should still be assessed by a healthcare professional.
Can men get breast cancer?
Yes. Male breast cancer is rare, but men can develop the disease. Possible symptoms include a breast lump, nipple changes, nipple discharge and changes to the skin around the breast.
Can you get breast cancer without a family history?
Yes. Most women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a known family history. According to the WHO, approximately 80% of breast cancers occur in women without specific risk factors other than being female and increasing age.
Breast Cancer Awareness Should Continue Beyond October
Breast Cancer Awareness Month runs until 31 October 2026, but knowing your breasts and paying attention to unexplained changes remains important throughout the year.
The aim of checking your breasts is not to diagnose yourself. It is to recognise when something has changed and seek professional medical assessment when necessary.
For Gauteng residents, October is a reminder to know the warning signs, understand personal risk and avoid delaying medical attention when a new or persistent breast change appears.
