Between school drop-offs, work shifts and weekend sport across Coomera, Upper Coomera and Pimpama, looking after your own health can slip down the to-do list. Pink October gives us all a friendly nudge to move it back up. Each October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month brings communities across Australia together to talk about breast health, support research and encourage women to look after themselves.

At Coomera Town Medical Centre, inside Westfield Coomera, our team of male and female GPs welcomes women of every age and stage of life. We are a bulk billing practice for eligible patients, so booking a check-in is simple. This guide shares five small habits you can start this month. None of them take long, and together they can help you feel more confident and informed about your breast health.

Habit 1: Get to know your normal

No two people have the same breasts. Some are larger, some are lumpier, and some have nipples that have been inverted since birth. That is why Breast Cancer Network Australia’s Know Yourself. Feel Yourself. campaign centres on one simple idea: get to know what is normal for you, so you can notice what is different.

The BCNA guide to checking your breasts suggests standing in front of a mirror with your arms by your sides, then raised, then on your hips. You then use flat fingers with light, medium and firm pressure to feel every part of each breast, including underneath, behind the nipple, under the arm and up towards the collarbone. Many people find it easiest to attach this to a routine they already have, such as the shower or applying body lotion.

Changes worth noting include a difference in the shape or size of a breast, dimpling or puckering of the skin, a rash or red, crusty or flaky skin on the breast or nipple, or a nipple that suddenly turns inward. Not every change is a sign of cancer. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health explains that fibrocystic breast condition, which causes non-cancerous lumps, is very common. The only way to know what a change means, though, is to have it looked at by a doctor.

Habit 2: Book the conversation, not just the scan

If you notice something new, there is no need to wait for a screening invitation. Book a GP appointment. Our doctors can examine you, talk through your health history and, where appropriate, arrange the next steps. You are also welcome to come in simply to ask questions, such as when to start screening, how family history may shape your plans, or what everyday steps can support your breast health.

We bulk bill eligible patients, so you can book without cost being the first thing on your mind. Please call us on (07) 5630 3786 to check your eligibility. Same-day appointments are offered where available, and telehealth consultations can suit some follow-ups, prescriptions and general questions. For anything that needs a physical check, your doctor will recommend seeing you in person.

Habit 3: Stay on schedule with breast screening

A breast screen, also called a screening mammogram, is a low-dose X-ray that can sometimes pick up changes before you notice any signs or symptoms. Through BreastScreen Queensland, women aged 50 to 74 who have not noticed any changes to their breasts are recommended to screen every two years. Women in their 40s, and women aged 75 and over, are also eligible for a free breast screen. You do not need a referral, and you can book by calling 13 20 50.

BreastScreen Queensland explains that about 80 per cent of breast cancers occur in women over 50, which is why the program focuses on that age group. The national program, BreastScreen Australia, is a joint initiative of the Australian and state and territory governments. Keep in mind that screening is designed for people without symptoms. If you have noticed a change, the advice from BCNA is to see your GP first.

Habit 4: Understand your risk, then focus on what you can influence

Some risk factors cannot be changed, including being a woman, getting older and having a strong family history. Cancer Australia explains that others can be influenced, and estimates that around a quarter of breast cancers could potentially be prevented through healthy lifestyle choices and other risk-reducing strategies. Keeping to a healthy weight range, being physically active and drinking less alcohol are all on that list, and breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk too.

It is also useful to know that around 95 per cent of breast cancers, according to BreastScreen Queensland, occur in women with no family history of the disease. That is a good reason to keep up with screening no matter what your family tree looks like. If you are unsure about your own situation, a GP appointment is a comfortable place to start the conversation.

Small steps count. Whether it is a walk around the neighbourhood, a swim or a weekend game with the kids, Cancer Council Queensland has practical tips on physical activity, healthy eating and limiting alcohol that support overall cancer prevention.

Habit 5: Make it a shared plan

Habits stick when we do them together. The National Breast Cancer Foundation invites Australians to host a Pink Ribbon Breakfast this October, with a featured day on Thursday 22 October or any day that suits you. A breakfast, morning tea or brunch with friends, workmates or your sports club is a relaxed way to raise funds for breast cancer research. It is also a natural moment to ask each other three simple questions. Do you know what is normal for you? Are you due for a breast screen? Is there anything you have been meaning to get checked?

NBCF reports that 56 people in Australia are diagnosed with breast cancer every day, and that the death rate has fallen by over 40 per cent since 1994, in large part thanks to research. Those figures are a reminder of why awareness, early conversations and research funding all matter.

Easy to fit into your week at Westfield Coomera

Coomera Town Medical Centre is inside Westfield Coomera, so your appointment can sit alongside the grocery shop or the after-school run. We care for patients from Coomera, Upper Coomera, Pimpama, Oxenford, Helensvale, Hope Island, Pacific Pines, Ormeau and surrounding areas. Our services include general health, women’s and men’s health, children’s health, skin checks, mental health support and chronic disease management, all in one convenient location.

We are also part of MyMedicare, the Australian Government program designed to strengthen the connection between you, your GP and your healthcare team. Having a regular GP who knows you can make conversations about breast health, screening and family history feel much more comfortable.

Make Pink October your check-in month

Choose one habit from this list and put it in your calendar today. If you would like to talk through your breast health, you can book an appointment at Coomera Town Medical Centre online or call (07) 5630 3786. Bulk billing is available for eligible patients, and our friendly team is happy to help you find a time that suits.