Dr Wuraola Adeyemo explains why early detection is key, what to look out for, and how often to check your breasts

By Hannah BradfieldPublished: 26 November 2025

Earlier this month, television presenter and podcast host Davina McCall revealed that she had been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. In a video posted to her Instagram account, the former WH cover star said she wanted to talk about her experience in case it helped somebody else.

‘I found a lump a few weeks ago, and it came and went,’ explained Davina in the video. ‘But then I was working on The Masked Singer and Lorraine, and Lorraine Kelly had put signs on all the backs of the doors saying “check your breasts”, and every time I went for a wee, I did that.’

Davina then felt compelled to get the lump – ‘which was still there’ – checked out, and following a biopsy, discovered that it was breast cancer. After having a lumpectomy last month, thankfully, Davina said there was no sign of the cancer having spread anywhere else in her body. ‘It was very, very small, which means I got it very, very early – which is incredibly lucky.’

She is now encouraging everyone to regularly check their boobs and to never ignore anything even slightly amiss – typically, the earlier breast cancer is caught, the better the prognosis.

According to research from charity Breast Cancer Now, due to treatment and care improvements, better screening and a focus on faster diagnosis, breast cancer survival has doubled in the past 50 years in the UK – for the best possible outcome, early detection is key.

London-based GP, Dr Wuraola Adeyemo knows this first-hand. ‘Early breast cancer can present with subtle changes that are easy to ignore or mistake for normal variations,’ she tells WH. ‘Awareness of these signs is important for all women as it supports earlier detection, which is linked with improved treatment outcomes.’

6 early signs of breast cancer you should never ignore

Below, Dr Adeyemo flags six signs you should never ignore – while they might not end up being anything sinister, it’s always best to get checked out.

Skin texture changes: Breast cancer can cause inflammation within the skin, leading to dimpling, thickening, or a texture similar to an orange peel.
Changes in breast shape or size: A gradual or unexplained change in the contour, size, or symmetry of one breast can indicate an underlying mass or structural change in breast tissue. Women often attribute this to hormonal, but persistent changes should be evaluated.
Nipple changes: New nipple inversion, sudden flattening, or deviation in nipple direction can indicate a tumour pulling on underlying ducts. Persistent crusting, scaling, or a rash on the nipple area may also signal Paget disease – a rare condition associated with breast cancer, which causes eczema-like changes to the skin of the nipple and the surrounding darker skin (areola).

Nipple discharge: Discharge that is spontaneous, persistent, clear, bloody, or from one breast is more concerning than discharge related to pressure or expressed from both breasts. Unilateral discharge can indicate a lesion within a milk duct.
Breast or nipple pain: Although most breast cancer is painless in early stages, some women experience localised pain or a burning sensation. Pain that is persistent and located in one area warrants clinical assessment.
A lump: Not all breast cancers present as a clearly defined lump. Some cancers develop as an area of thickened tissue or a subtle change in density rather than a discrete mass. Any persistent firmness, localised thickening, or tissue change that feels different from the surrounding breast should be evaluated by a clinician. Suspicious findings are not limited to the breast itself. Lumps or swelling in the armpit or around the clavicle can indicate involvement of regional lymph nodes and require prompt assessment.

It’s important we don’t think of breast cancer presenting just as a lump, adds Dr Adeyemo. ‘Being familiar with your own normal breast structure is essential so you can recognise any deviations from what is typical for you,’ she says.

How can breast cancer symptoms vary with age?

Breast cancer may also present differently depending on your age, ‘because breast tissue composition and hormone levels change across the lifespan.’

‘Younger women often have denser, hormonally responsive breast tissue, which can make cancers feel more like thickening than a lump, and mask early symptoms with cyclical changes,’ explains Dr Adeyemo. ‘In perimenopausal and menopausal women, less dense breast tissue makes new lumps or structural changes easier to detect, while any new pain, visible skin changes, or nipple changes are more concerning because they are less likely to be caused by hormonal fluctuations.’

Regardless of age, however, says Dr Adeyemo, ‘changes that are persistent, unilateral, or different from a woman’s usual pattern should prompt clinical evaluation.’

Like Davina, you might want to incorporate checking your breasts into a regular activity you’re doing already, but as a minimum, Dr Adeyemo advises doing so once a month, ‘ideally a few days after your period when they are least tender, or on the same date each month if you do not menstruate.’

Ensure you check beyond your breasts, too. ‘Know your normal look and feel, including the breast, armpit, and collarbone area,’ says Dr Adeyemo.

When should you seek medical advice?

‘Seek medical advice for any new lump, thickening, persistent pain, nipple change or discharge, skin change, swelling, or anything that differs from your usual pattern,’ urges Dr Adeyemo.

As a GP, she says she typically has ‘a low threshold for making an urgent referral – especially when a new breast lump is present.’

‘It is far better to be reassured early than to delay and risk a late diagnosis’

‘However, patients often do not recognise other important red flags such as peau d’orange (orange peel texture) or skin changes (dimpling, puckering, redness, or thickening), new nipple inversion, or unusual nipple discharge, even though these symptoms can be just as significant as a lump,’ adds Dr Adeyemo.

If you’re ever unsure whether your symptoms merit a GP appointment, Dr Adeyemo stresses that it’s always safer to seek medical advice. ‘Any new, persistent, or unusual breast change should be assessed, even if it feels minor,’ she says. ‘Your health is the priority – it is far better to be reassured early than to delay and risk a late diagnosis.’

Regardless, an appointment can also help you going forwards, adds Dr Adeyemo, providing you with ‘an opportunity to review how to check your breasts effectively and understand what is normal for you.’