Did you know there are 15 types of breast cancer? Here's how to self-check

Did you know there are 15 types of breast cancer? If you didn’t, you’re not the only one. The lack of knowledge about breast cancer is so prevalent in the UK that it led one designer to create the following infographic to help women learn the basics about breast cancer.

Claire Stokoe spent the last two months creating the piece to promote breast cancer awareness, as 94 per cent of British women cannot name five common signs and symptoms of breast cancer. On top of that, around 12,000 people died from invasive breast cancer in the UK in 2011.

It’s why Stokoe wants women to learn about typical symptoms for breast cancer and how to check for them. She tells me: "I wanted an all round look at exactly what [breast cancer] was and how to check, just to get people to have a boost, to have a think about. It's not just older people who get breast cancer, it's much much younger people."

Breast screenings are effective for 70 per cent of the population, but on top of that it's also helpful to check yourself at home. So, for anyone who has never done a self-check for breast cancer before, here’s how you do it...

But before you strip off, you need to know what you’re looking for. These are the eight symptoms you should bear in mind before you begin the examination:

Now you know what to look for, you take off your clothes and start the process for examining your breasts (tip: showering first helps):

If you do find any symptoms that worry you, book an appointment to see your GP as soon as possible. For anyone who wants more information, here are the 15 types of breast cancer explained: