5 Breast Health Missteps Women Make

Breast cancer affects one in eight women during their lifetime.* Regular screening and some prudent self-care can reduce your risk.

Knowing your body is key to pointing out any concerns to your doctor. Given the prevalence of breast cancer, it’s never too soon to start taking better care of your breasts by avoiding these five missteps.

#1: Not performing breast self-exams. A self-exam is the best way to know what’s normal for you. When you perform them regularly, you become familiar with how your breasts typically look and feel. As a result, you can then promptly recognize unusual changes should they occur. It takes just a few minutes to perform a self-exam and you should do it once a month, a few days after your period ends when breasts are less swollen.

#2: Ignoring a lump. Certainly, many conditions can cause lumps in the breast, including cancer. And yes, most breast lumps are caused by other medical conditions like fibrocystic breast condition and cysts. But what if it isn’t just a cyst? A lump can be a big warning sign and should never be ignored. Any delay in diagnosing breast cancer puts you at a disadvantage in treating and beating it. Don’t dismiss a lump as “nothing.”

#3: Failing to get a regular physical. You get your car tuned up every year, so why not your body? Annual physicals put you in a better position to detect small problems before they can blossom into larger ones. A clinical breast exam should be part of your routine checkup.

If you’re over 40, a checkup may include a mammogram every one to two years. Despite all the discussions over whether “to mamm or not to mamm,” and when to start, the facts remain that mammography is currently the best available tool for detecting cancer early. Talk with your doctor about what’s best for you.

#4: Disregarding your mammogram results. When a mammogram turns up something suspicious, women are asked to return to repeat the test. Some women never go back. Suspicious results are no cause for alarm and many result from unclear x-ray films or breast calcifications. But is it really worth the risk to ignore a callback?

Likewise, if the reason for your doctor’s visit is because you found a lump, and the doctor says your mammogram looks normal, there’s no harm in asking for an ultrasound for further peace of mind.

#5: Regarding breast health as somehow separate from your overall health.
We don’t often relate the two, but vigorous exercise can help lower breast cancer risk. Women who are not physically active throughout life have an increased risk of breast cancer. Exercise also prevents women from becoming overweight and obese, which are known risk factors for breast cancer, particularly as women age.

Be Breast-Health Smart!

Our breasts change over the years, due to hormones and the normal aging process. Be proactive with any changes that occur and see your healthcare provider right away.

*U.S. Department of Health and Human Services