Breast Self-Awareness Messages
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the U.S., but it can be successfully treated. Screening tests can find breast cancer at an early stage, when the chances of survival are highest. Regular screening tests (along with follow-up tests, if diagnosed) reduce the chance of dying from breast cancer.
1. Know your risk
- Talk with both sides of your family to learn about your family health history.
- Talk with a health care provider about your risk of breast cancer.
2. Get screened
- Talk with a health care provider about which screening tests are right for you if you are at higher risk.
- Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you are at average risk.*
- Have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years starting at age 25, and every year starting at age 40.*
* Per NCCN Guidelines
3. Know what is normal for you
See a health care provider if you notice any of these breast changes:
- Lump, hard knot or thickening inside the breast or underarm area
- Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast
- Change in the size or shape of the breast
- Dimpling or puckering of the skin
- Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
- Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast
- Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
- New pain in one spot that doesn’t go away
To see illustrations of these warnings signs, please visit the Warning Signs of Breast Cancer page.
4. Make healthy lifestyle choices
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Make exercise part of your routine.
- Limit alcohol intake.
- Limit menopausal hormone use.
- Breastfeed if you can.
Breast Self-Awareness Messages Resources
We offer a variety of downloadable Breast Self-Awareness Messages resources in different languages. You can find them in English on our Educational Resources page. They’re also available in Spanish and many other languages on our Translated Educational Resources page.
You can watch and share our Breast Self-Awareness Messages video titled, Your Guide to Breast Self-Awareness. This video is available in seven different languages.
You can also watch our video of Komen Scholar Dr. Kathy Miller about our Breast Self-Awareness Messages and the importance of advocating for yourself.
Additional Komen resources may be found in the Tools & Resources section of our website.
Updated November 8, 2024
