I don’t ever examine my breasts because I’m not entirely sure what I’m looking for. When should I examine them, and how do I tell what’s suspicious? My breasts feel lumpy to me a lot of the time.
Women commonly feel their breasts and are not sure what feels normal or not. Breasts are all different in size and shape and feel (lumpy, fatty, and nodular particularly towards the armpits. If you are not sure what you are feeling, go for an ultrasound at a radiologist who specialises in breast and while they are doing the ultrasound they can point out lumps, cysts or just nodular lumpy tissue. This is your baseline. Go one week after your menstrual cycle.

My mother died when she was just 42, and my maternal grandmother died when I was just six, so I have no idea whether or not breast cancer runs in our family. Are genetics very important?
Genetics are important, although it is often difficult to isolate the gene(s) contributing to causing the cancer. It is any a select few patients that living relatives with breast cancer are tested and the BRCA 1 and 2 genes are identified. Remember 50 % of women diagnosed with a breast cancer have no identifiable risk factors. So being a woman makes you at risk. You put your seatbelt on before you drive as protection in case you are involved in an accident. So go for a mammogram from 35/40 years so in case a cancer is developing it can be detected early. If you are less than 35 a yearly ultrasound is probably a good idea.

I recently found a small lump in my breast, but it isn’t sore at all. Should I still have it checked out?
Although 9 out of 10 lumps are not cancers, most cancers present with a painless lump. Have the lump investigated. Today the investigations of a breast lump require a clinical examination, an ultrasound if the women are less than 35. A mammogram and ultrasound if the women is older than 35 a radiological guided needle biopsy ie needle biopsy should be done under ultrasound guidance or mammogram guidance and not free hand. Lumps do not usually require surgical biopsies unless the needle biopsy says inadequate tissue or suggest another biopsy.

I am 52, going through menopause, and every now and then I have a discharge from one of my breasts. Should I be concerned, or is it just hormonal?
The first question to ask is, is the discharge spontaneous (occurs on its own) or non-spontaneous (when you squeeze your breast). If you are squeezing them stop!!!!!!!!!!!. The nipples are glorified plugs if you squeeze them they will start producing fluid. If it is spontaneous it needs to be investigated.

I had breast implant surgery performed about two years ago. Can I still have mammograms?
Sure, just go to a specialist centre. Implants are a personal choice; they do not increase our breast cancer risk.

I know it’s recommended that women start having regular mammograms at 40, but is there any harm in starting earlier? I’m 32, watched my best friend die of breast cancer, and am terrified of going the same way.
Going for a regular ultrasound every year and examining your breasts once a month is a good start. Regular exercise and making sure your alcohol consumption is less than 2 glasses per night.