Checking your breasts after reconstruction

After surgery it’s important to continue checking both your remaining natural breast and the area of your reconstructed breast. If you have not previously done this, ask your nurse to show you. They can give you information leaflets which show you how to check your breasts. Your doctor will also regularly examine your breasts after your reconstruction.

Things to look out for include:

• breast tissue that feels different – harder or tighter
• a change in the appearance or shape of the breast
• a change in skin texture – puckering, dimpling, rash, thickening
• a visible lump or bulge
• a lump or lumpy area you can feel in the breast or armpit
• the nipple turns in or points differently
• discharge from the nipple of any kind
• a rash or swelling on the nipple or the areola (the dark area around the nipple)
• enlarged glands under either armpit
• swelling of the upper arm
• pain or discomfort that feels different to tenderness before your periods.

Finding any of these signs does not necessarily mean that your cancer has come back, but it is important to tell your nurse or doctor if you find anything that concerns you.