When you’ve been through a breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and countless hospital appointments, continuing to check your breasts can feel difficult to face, overwhelming, or even unnecessary. But self-checking remains an important part of your ongoing care and self-awareness. That's why we're running a session about it here at the House of Hope. In this short article, we outline the whys and hows of self-checking after treatment.
After treatment, your body will have changed. Scars, swelling, or reconstruction can make things feel different, and we understand that can be unsettling at first. Regular, gentle self-checks can help you become familiar with your new normal and notice any new changes early. You shouldn't view this as looking for problems. It's about staying connected to your body, understanding how it feels now, and rebuilding confidence in that relationship.
If you’re unsure what to look for after surgery or reconstruction, ask your breast care nurse to show you how to safely self-examine or what changes are normal for you. You don’t have to do it perfectly, just regularly and with kindness.
A few tips for checking your breasts after treatment
Be gentle and patient – It may take time to feel comfortable touching areas affected by surgery or treatment. Go slowly and without pressure.
Use a mirror – Visual checks can help you spot swelling, redness, or changes to skin texture, even if sensation has changed.
Feel around scars and reconstruction – Get to know how those areas normally feel so you can recognise any new changes.
Check all areas – Don’t forget your underarms, collarbone, and the side of your chest.
Keep a note – If you notice something new or different, jot it down and mention it at your next appointment.
Reach out for support – If self-checking feels emotionally difficult, talk to your nurse or join in one of our support groups or workshops at the House of Hope; you will find that many others understand that feeling.
Self-checking after diagnosis should be seen as an act of self-care. Your way of saying, 'I’m still here, I’m still listening to my body, and I’m taking care of myself.'
If you have any questions about self-checks after a breast cancer diagnosis, get in touch with the team at the House of Hope, and we can direct you to answers. support@houseofhope.org.uk
