Breast Self-Awareness: FAQs and How-to’s

October 23, 2023

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Learn about the importance of Breast Self-Awareness below. 

Boo! Not just known for tricks and treats, October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. With over 240,000 diagnoses each year, Breast Cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer. Although your college years aren’t the time to start scheduling mammograms, which usually begin at age 40, breast self-awareness is a convenient and accessible method. Medical providers recommend beginning regular self-awareness exams at age 20. Read on for FAQs, a step-by-step guide on self-awareness examination, and encourage everyone to practice breast self-awareness.

What is breast self-awareness?

Breast self-awareness is a woman’s understanding of her breasts’ normal appearance and feel. It encourages women to be attuned to noticing a change or potential problem with their breasts. 

Why do I need to check?

While it is not a reliable way to find cancer, it helps familiarize one with their breasts' standard look and feel, acting as a defense against changes. While medical practitioners can help figure out the exact issue, identifying it requires knowing your body and understanding when it feels off. Providers believe in the value of being familiar with one’s body to understand what is expected and promptly report changes. 

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What should I look for?

Breasts are already known for their lumps and bumps; there’s no need to freak out if you feel any right away! Instead, you should look for unusual lumps or differences in your breasts that were not there before. Any irregularities, such as hard lumps or bloody nipples, swelling, or dimpling, should be reported to your medical practitioners.

How do I practice breast self-awareness?

The best time to examine yourself is the week after your period for those who menstruate, but in general, it should be when your breasts are less tender and swollen. The most convenient time to do this check would be before or during your shower! 

Begin with a visual assessment. Stand in front of a mirror without a bra or shirt on and examine if there are any changes to the shape or size of your breasts. Also, notice the skin of the breast and look for any irregular differences on the skin or nipples.  Don’t hesitate to talk to your medical practitioner if something seems unusual. 

Next, examine your breasts with your hands by lying down or feeling them in the shower. When manually reviewing, use the pads of your middle three fingers for the most sensitivity and slowly feel with different pressure levels. The way to be the most effective is to do the process the same every time, such as by touching the same parts of the breast the same way, such as feeling the breast clockwise. Different parts of the breast have different grainy textures – figure out what is normal for YOU. Keep notes to best keep track of what is normal for your body. 

Who should check for breast cancer?

Those at the highest risk of breast cancer are those AFAB, with the risk growing higher as you age (around 50). You can get breast cancer at any age, so checking as early as possible is essential. Breast cancer can appear in anyone, even those assigned male at birth, especially those with a family history of breast cancer. 

For transgender and nonbinary individuals, breast self-awareness may bring feelings of gender dysphoria. For questions or concerns, consult the Gender Clinic here. We are here to help you!

What should I do if I find a lump?

Breast Self-awareness is not enough to check the risk of cancer thoroughly. Instead, breast self-awareness is to check if something is a miss. If you find something peculiar with your breasts, please get in touch with the Gynecology Clinic at Boynton Health—call (612) 625-8400 to schedule an appointment today. 

Written By: Tanvi Abraham

 

References: 

Written in part due to the work done by Mayo Clinic as well as the National Breast Cancer Foundation

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/breast-exam/about/pac-20393237

https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-self-exam/

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