The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners is urging people to touch, look, and check their breasts in line with the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

They are reminding people to call their GP if anything isn't normal.

"Breast cancer is the most common cancer for Kiwi women, which is why it's important to know the look and feel of your breasts and talk about any changes or concerns with your GP," says College medical director Dr Bryan Betty.

"Regular (free) mammogram screening should be done every two years for women aged 45 to 69 years, and your GP can organise that for you," he says.

Statistics show that most people getting breast cancer are female and over the age of 50 when they are diagnosed.

However, around six percent of breast cancer in New Zealand occurs in people under the age of 40 and several men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year too.

Breast cancer doesn't discriminate; it affects families, friend groups, and communities

Querying any concern you have about your body with your GP lets them check what's going on, set up any further testing that's required and gives you the best chance of diagnosis and treatment options.

'The earlier you get in touch, the better,” says Bryan.