Women in their 40s need to watch out for surprising breast changes

Hollywood may have us all believing that having perky breasts right into our 60s is the norm, but the truth is far from it. As we age we deal with the side effects of having carried our breasts through decades of life, love, hundreds of outfits, tens of bras and even a few children to boot. At 40 it’s time to start paying some extra attention to our breast buddies.

This time of ‘perimenopause’ is significant time that is not often talked about, sandwiched as it is between youth and menopause. It’s actually a really important time to start noticing changes in your breast health, and start important conversations with those around you.

The first change you might notice is breast sensitivity. Due to increased surges of estrogen, breasts can become tender and you may notice them a lot more than you did before.

Your bra may start to feel a bit tighter. The shorter cycles, increased estrogen and inflammation can lead to swelling. This is common in overweight women, as stored fat can increase estrogen in the bloodstream. Is what we have got going on normal?

Worry not, it is part of ageing

As you age, you lose collagen, your skin becomes less elastic and your tendons lose strength. Your Cooper’s Ligaments: bands of tough, fibrous, flexible connective tissue that shape and support your breasts, begin to sag. There’s nothing we can do about these specifically, but lifestyle factors can make a lot of small differences.

Your 40s is also the time when your breast cancer risk begins to rise. As your breasts age they can change shape, get lumpier and even denser. This can lead to feeling more lumps but also more difficulty in finding the troublesome ones. That’s why getting regular check-ups and screens to make sure anything concerning is caught early is a really good idea.

Unfortunately, fear of embarrassment or anxiety about the screening procedure are common deterrents for women from having a breast screen. Although it may be a little uncomfortable, the few minutes of discomfort far outweigh the alternative.

Activities for breast health while in your 40s

Exercises like push-ups, wearing a more supportive bra, knowing your family health history and focusing on maintaining a healthy weight will go a long way to ensuring you have healthy breasts going into your 40s, 50s and 60s. Getting regular breast exams and noticing what changes aren’t normal are also crucial, and should become a regular part of your routine.

‘Utilising easy to follow ‘three-step’ process, LOOK, LIFT, FEEL, which is a simple breast exam you can undertake, is the ideal way to check the health of your breasts on a regular basis.

It is not meant to replace regular check-ups, but rather supplement them. If you find anything concerning, you can proceed to talk to your GP who will then determine the next best steps.

The two biggest factors are non-modifiable; being female and increasing age. However, there are modifiable factors. Lifestyle plays a  part. Beer, wine and spirits can increase the levels of oestrogen and other hormones in the body associated with breast cancer development.

Smoking can increase your risk of breast cancer. However, regular exercise not only helps to keep your weight in check but can also lower oestrogen levels and boost your immunity.

If you’re a little embarrassed to talk about your breasts with your friends, now is a great time to start opening up the topic as everyone is probably feeling as anxious as you. It can be a really great feeling to realise that while everyone is different, you’re actually totally normal.

 

Prof. Sanjay Warrier is the immediate past President and current committee member of Breast Surgeons of Australia and New Zealand (BreastSurgANZ).