Detecting breast cancer early means “knowing your normal”

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which means it’s a great time to make sure that you’re up to speed on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment options that save lives every single day of the year. We invite you to read our articles about the genetics of breast cancer and some common questions that genetic counselors get after a breast cancer diagnosis. We’ve also invited Bright Pink, a national non-profit focused on the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer, to contribute this article to the Helix blog.

1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lifetime. As you think about all of the women in your life, these odds may not reassure you. But the bright news is that when women have the knowledge to be proactive about their breast health, they can truly make an impact.
80% of breast cancers are detected first by young women themselves and then confirmed by a medical professional. This matters because when detected early, the 5-year survival rate for breast cancer is greater than 93%.
Bright Pink, a national non-profit focused on the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer, wants you to give your breasts the attention they deserve. It is crucial that women across the country take action to live their breast life- not just during October, but all year long.

Practicing Breast Self-Awareness

Early detection starts with knowing your body—or “knowing your normal”—and understanding what signs and symptoms to look out for.
One of the key ways to “know your normal” is to be breast self-aware. We all have different breasts – different sizes and shapes with varying densities. So, what does “normal” mean? The key is to define what is normal for YOUR breasts. We have some helpful tips to practice breast self-awareness:

• Touch your breast tissue from multiple angles with varying pressure. You want to feel both the deep and surface layers, from the interior by your ribs to just below the skin.
• Make sure to cover your entire breast. Remember, your breast tissue extends all the way up to your collarbone, all the way around your side underneath your armpits, and into your breastbone.
• What you’re looking for are any changes in size, shape, contour, dimpling, pulling, redness or scaly skin on the nipple or breast.

Establishing what’s normal for your breasts doesn’t happen with one check-in. It’s important to practice breast self-awareness routinely so that you can pick up on any changes that may happen over time.
If you notice a change, that doesn’t necessarily mean that something is wrong. What’s important is persistence. It can be helpful to make a note in your phone of the change you noticed, or even draw it out on a piece of paper with two circles. Set a reminder to check yourself again in 2-3 weeks. If the change has persisted, it’s time to visit a healthcare provider.
For more information, visit Bright Pink’s website at brightpink.org.