In today’s time, breast cancer is one of the rapidly increasing diseases in women. In such a situation, the thing that doctors are emphasizing the most is Breast Self Awareness i.e. self awareness regarding breasts. This does not mean checking according to a fixed day or rule, but rather understanding your body and paying attention to the changes in it. When a woman knows how her breasts normally look and feel, any abnormal changes can be identified in time.

Till a few years ago, women were advised to self-examine their breasts every month. But about 20 years ago, the American Cancer Society stopped considering it necessary for women at average risk. The reason for this was that self-exams did not reveal additional cases of cancer in women who were getting mammograms done regularly. Along with this, unnecessary fear and stress started increasing among women regarding every small change, especially in those women whose breasts are naturally dense or bulging.

The purpose of breast self awareness is not to create fear, but to increase understanding. There is no need to investigate on any fixed date or in any particular way. It is part of everyday life. Such as seeing a difference in the size of breasts in the mirror while changing clothes, feeling a lump while wearing a bra, feeling constant pain in some part while bathing or lying down. Many times, partners are also the first to notice such changes, so their words should not be ignored.

According to doctors, if there is any new lump in the breast, thickening, inward sinking of the nipple, abnormal discharge from the nipple, dimpling of the skin, redness, change in shape or pain at any one place persists for a long time, then one should immediately contact the doctor. It is not necessary that every lump is cancer. In many cases, it could be hormonal changes, cyst or even a general problem. But if any change persists or increases slowly, then it is very important to get tested.

It is also important to understand that self awareness does not mean that the need for medical examination goes away. Mammogram is still the most reliable method of early detection of breast cancer. With this, even such cancers can be detected which are not possible to feel with hands. Generally, after the age of 40 or 45, women are advised to get mammogram done once a year or once in two years. The age and method of testing may be different for women who have a family history of breast cancer, who have a genetic risk, or who have denser breasts.