A YOUNG woman diagnosed with breast cancer urging all women to check their breasts while lying down to help them detect the disease early.

Hayley Browning, 27, was diagnosed with the disease three weeks ago.

But she could only feel her lump while laying down – contrary to most advice that tells women to look for lumps while standing in the shower.

Hayley, from Essex, has the BRCA2 gene mutation that caused her cancer.

She wrote in a heartfelt Facebook post about her diagnosis: "I'm hoping to share a little trick of mine with as many people as possible, which could potentially help save someone's life.

"Three weeks ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I could only feel the lump whilst lying down and it completely disappeared standing up.

"Most websites tell you to check for lumps in the shower but if I had followed this advice, the lump may have grown too large to be treatable.

"Not even the surgeon could feel my lump when I was standing up.

"So, this is a call out to all women to check for lumps lying down, as well as standing up.

"As I think about my long journey ahead and the chemotherapy I will undertake, I want to reach as many people with this message and help find more #LaidBackLumps."

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The corporate account manager for charity Marie Curie UK was hoping to spread awareness on social media using the hashtag #LaidBackLumps.

She posted her story on Saturday to coincide with World Cancer Day, a day to raise awareness and funds for life-saving research.

Hayley told The Sun Online of the devastating moment she received her diagnosis at Maidstone Hospital in Barming.

She said: "I was with my Mum and Dad when I went to the hospital for my biopsy results and never in a million years did I think that the doctor would say those words.

"My Mum held my hand, we were all in complete shock and broke down in tears.

"The doctor very quickly then said it was treatable so that made it a little bit easier to accept."

I'm no expert in lumps, but I just want to encourage everyone to consult your doctor as soon as you feel something you are unsure of. Just don't delay booking that appointment.

Hayley has since had a lumpectomy to remove the lump and faces five months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

She added: "I shared my story on Facebook because I had always read advice that you should check for lumps in the shower, but mine couldn't be felt standing up at all.

"I felt it was important to share my learning of also feeling for lumps lying down as this helped me find my lump early enough for it to be treatable.

"I am completely overwhelmed with the amount of interest in my post and so thankful to everyone for helping me spread my message.

"Together, even if we have helped just one other person in some way, then it's all been worth doing in my opinion.

"Initially, I only told my friends and family about lying down whilst checking and they also weren't aware of this and were very thankful for me sharing my learning.

"I'm no expert in lumps, but I just want to encourage everyone to consult your doctor as soon as you feel something you are unsure of. Just don't delay booking that appointment."

IMPORTANT SIGNS TO LOOK FOR IN BREAST CANCER

Everyone’s breasts are different, and your breasts can change with age and at different times of the month.

It’s important to get to know how your breasts normally look and feel so it will be easier to spot if there are any unusual changes for you.

Here are the changes to check for:

• Lump:  A lump may not be seen but can be felt. Is there a lumpy area, is it painful? Lumps can be either in part of the breast or in the armpit.
• Skin texture: Dimpling and puckering of the skin on the breast is a common sign. You should look for if there has been a change in skin texture or colour.
• Appearance or direction of the nipple: Nipples can become inverted.
• Nipple discharge: One or both nipples could have discharge. Discharge can be normal during the menstrual cycle, so it is important you are aware of what your discharge is like to spot any changes.
• Rash or crusting: Any rash or crusting around the nipple can be a sign.

Checking your breasts is as simple as TLC.

• Touch you breasts. Do they feel abnormal?
• Look for changes in shape and texture
• Check for anything unusual with your doctor

Source: Breast Cancer Now

One in eight women in the UK will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lifetime, making it the most common cancer in women in the country, according to Breast Cancer UK.

The NHS recommends that all women should be breast aware, meaning they should know what is normal for their breasts to detect any abnormal changes.

However, not all changes are a sign of breast cancer. Some women have cysts or thickening of the breast tissue, which is normal.

According to Cancer Research UK, 9 out of 10 breast lumps are not cancer but should always be checked by a GP to be certain.

Here are the symptoms to look out for…

Change in shape/size or a rash

Discharge or swelling

Lumps or thickening of the skin/change in skin texture

Inverted nipple and pain in the breast

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