Breast cancer symptoms and how to check yourself as Olivia Newton-John dies from cruel disease

Olivia Newton-Johntragicallypassed away at the age of 73 on August 8at the age of 73.

The actress, who was propelled to fame for her role in Grease, battled breast cancer on and off for 30 years until the disease cruelly took her life.

Her husband, John Easterling, announced via her official Facebook page that Olivia had passed away peacefully at her Southern California ranch in the early hours of Monday.

Olivia had battled with breast cancer on and off since her first diagnosis in 1992. Following that she was told it had come back in 2013 and again in 2017 where the disease had reportedly “spread to her bones”.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK, according to theNHS.

Most women diagnosed with breast cancer are over the age of 50, but younger women can also get breast cancer. Olivia was in her early 40s when she was first diagnosed in 1992.

Following Olivia's death, former EastEnders actress Samantha Womack revealed that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

The NHS explains that there are many symptoms of breast cancer, but the “first noticeable symptom is usually a lump or area of thickened breast tissue”.

The other symptoms include: a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts, discharge from either of your nipples which may be streaked with blood, a lump or swelling in either of your armpits, dimpling on the skin of your breasts, a rash on or around your nipple and a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast.

The exact causes of breast cancer are not fully known by experts, but there are certain factors known to increase the risk of breast cancer.

These include age, family history of breast cancer, previous diagnosis of breast cancer, previous non-cancerous (benign) breast lump, being tall, overweight or obese and drinking alcohol.

Checking your breasts yourself is recommended by experts, though it “isn't always a reliable way to detect breast cancer”.

MayoClinicsuggests beginning the self examination by standing shirtless and braless in front of a mirror with your arms at your sides.

They say while facing forward look for puckering, dimpling, or changes in size, shape or symmetry and check to see if your nipples are turned in (inverted).

Next its recommended you inspect your breasts with your hands pressed down on your hips.

Inspect your breasts with your arms raised overhead and the palms of your hands pressed together and then lift your breasts to see if ridges along the bottom are symmetrical.

They add: “Use a methodical technique to ensure you examine your entire breast. For instance, imagine the face of a clock over your breast or the slices of a pie.

“Begin near your collarbone and examine that section, moving your fingers toward your nipple. Then move your fingers to the next section.”

The publication adds that the look and feel of your breasts will change as you age.

READ MORE:

• Olivia Newton-John's daughter shares heartbreaking tribute to her as Grease icon dies aged 73

• Olivia Newton-John shared loving picture with husband in final post days before death

• Olivia Newton-John dead: Grease star dies 'peacefully' aged 73

• John Travolta leads tributes to Olivia Newton-John as Grease star dies aged 73

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