October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, reminding women of the importance of self-examination. In India, one in 38 urban women and one in 98 rural women face the risk of developing the disease, according to the National Cancer Registry Programme. Knowing how your breasts normally look and feel enables you to notice differences more quickly. Most changes are benign, but early detection can make your treatment more effective. Consult your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:

• A lump or thickening in your breast that feels different from the rest of the breast tissue.
  
• Any changes in the shape of the breast or any puckering or dimpling of the skin.
  
• A discharge from the nipple or a rash around it.
  
• A pulling in of the nipple.
  
• Constant pain in one part of your breast or in your armpit.
  
• Change in the size of a breast.
  
• Swelling under your armpit or around your collarbone.

For more advice, or for locating screening facilities near you, speak to your gynecologist or GP.