BREAST ADVICE
There were two almost unnoticeable changes in one of my boobs – I had no idea they were warning signs of cancer
Plus, the full list of breast cancer symptoms to look out for and how to check your boobs
UNUSUAL lumps or swelling anywhere on the body can be a sign of cancer.
A lump in the breast is a typical sign of breast cancer everyone is taught to look for.
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Which is why when Steph Peacey experienced other boob-related symptoms, she had no idea she had the disease.
The 28-year-old from Dorset also thought breast cancer was something that happened to older women - certainly not to someone young, active, and building their future.
But in August 2024, her world came crashing down when she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease.
But instead of experiencing the typical lump, Steph experienced subtle, almost unnoticeable changes in her breast - things she had no idea could be warning signs.
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"My left breast felt different—hard and full—and my nipple was inverted," she recalls.
"I didn't think it was serious. I thought cancer always came with a lump, and I was so wrong."
It wasn't until June 2024, when she noticed a constant cloudy discharge from her nipple that she decided to see her GP.
"That's when I thought, 'Something's definitely not right,'" she says.
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Her doctor agreed, sending her to a breast clinic, where an ultrasound revealed a mass buried so deep no self-exam could have found it.
Waiting for three agonising weeks for the biopsy results, Steph clung to the reassurances of friends and family.
A tiny lump in my breast nearly killed me at just 31 - I felt 'amazingly healthy'
"Everyone said, 'You're too young for cancer. It's probably just a cyst.' But deep down, I knew it was more serious."
On August 6th, her fears were confirmed.
"When the head of the breast unit entered the room, I knew something was wrong," says Steph.
"Then came the words: triple negative breast cancer.
"It felt like the ground shifted beneath me. Shortly after, I learned that I have a mutated BRCA1 gene.
"These genes normally act as tumour suppressors, but having a mutated version significantly raises the risk of breast cancer - by 45 per cent to 85 per cent - and ovarian cancer - by 10 per cent to 46 per cent.
Before my diagnosis, I had never heard of this, and I believe more people need to be aware
Steph Peacey
"This is a hereditary condition, and genetic testing is often offered after a diagnosis of triple-negative breast or ovarian cancer to check for BRCA mutations.
"Before my diagnosis, I had never heard of this, and I believe more people need to be aware.
"Knowing about my BRCA1 mutation has not only influenced the type of surgery I'll undergo but could also shape my entire treatment plan."
The diagnosis forced Steph to quit her job immediately.
"Suddenly, I wasn't just fighting cancer—I was fighting to survive financially," says Steph.
"I can't afford my rent, food, or even vet treatment for my kitten. The benefits system is not enough."
What are the signs of breast cancer?
BREAST cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK.
The majority of women who get it are over 50, but younger women and, in rare cases, men can also get breast cancer.
If it’s treated early enough, breast cancer can be prevented from spreading to other parts of the body.
Breast cancer can have a number of symptoms, but the first noticeable symptom is usually a lump or area of thickened breast tissue.
Most breast lumps aren’t cancerous, but it’s always best to have them checked by your doctor. You should also speak to your GP if you notice any of the following:
- a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
- discharge from either of your nipples (which may be streaked with blood)
- a lump or swelling in either of your armpits
- dimpling on the skin of your breasts
- a rash on or around your nipple
- a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast
Source: NHS
The financial stress of battling a life-changing illness is something many don't talk about, but for Steph, it's an everyday reality.
With no income since her diagnosis, she's had to set up a GoFundMe page just to make ends meet.
"The benefits put in place by the government aren't enough to comfortably support someone out of work due to illness, and sometimes, they're even declined to people like me who really need them," she says.
Her treatment plan is a gruelling six months of chemotherapy to shrink the 3cm tumour, followed by surgery and radiotherapy.
But Steph has found strength in sharing her journey on TikTok.
"I didn't know anything about breast cancer before this," says Steph.
"I thought checking for lumps was enough.
"Now I tell everyone: It's not just about lumps. If anything feels or looks different, go to the doctor."
Her message is resonating, with women reaching out to share their stories.
"It's humbling to know my journey is helping others. But it's also heartbreaking how many of us are out here fighting this battle," she says.
Halfway through her chemo, Steph still faces immense physical and emotional challenges.
"I grieve for my old life, my independence, my health," she says.
"But I'm learning to take it day by day. It's okay to cry, to feel angry, and to lean on others. You don't have to be strong all the time."
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She remains determined to turn her pain into purpose.
"If my story can save just one life, it's worth sharing. Know your body. Don't wait. Early detection is everything."
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How to check your breasts
It is important to regularly check your breasts for any changes. Breast tissue reaches all the way up to your collarbone and across to your armpit, so it’s vital to check these areas too.
If you feel or see any changes in your breast you should always consult your GP.
Charity CoppaFeel! recommends checking your breasts monthly, so you can pick up on any changes quickly.
Breasts do change naturally as part of your monthly menstrual cycle, so you should get to know your breasts, how they feel and what changes they usually go through to know if anything is out of the ordinary.
Five-step check
There is a five-step self exam you can do at home to check for any changes.
Step one: Begin by looking in a mirror, facing it with your arms on your hips and your shoulders straight. You should be looking for any dimpling, puckering, bulging skin, redness, soreness, a rash or changes in the nipple.
Step two: Still looking in the mirror, raise both arms above your head and check for the same changes.
Step three: With your arms still above your head, check for any fluid coming from the nipples. This can include milky, yellow or watery fluid, or blood.
Step four: While lying down use your opposite hand to check each breast. Using a few fingers, keeping them flat and together, go in a small circular motion around your breasts. Make sure you feel the entire breast by going top to bottom in these small circles. It helps to develop a system or pattern to make sure every inch is covered. Use light pressure for the skin and tissue just beneath, medium pressure for the tissue in the middle of your breasts, and firm pressure to feel the tissue at the back, feeling down to your ribcage.
Step five: Feel your breasts while either standing or sitting, using the same small circular motions.
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