Self-Exams and Mammograms are the First Steps for Early Detection of Breast Cancer
Author: Ralph Johnson
During October, we are inundated with prompts to wear pink for breast cancer awareness and participate in or donate to worthy fundraisers that support breast cancer research. All that is good; however, the most important thing to remember during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and beyond is that self-exams and mammograms are the first steps for early detection of breast cancer.
Symptoms
Familiarize yourself with the symptoms that something is wrong. Aging men and women may not experience any symptoms associated with breast cancer because it starts with a single cancer cell that mutates and grows, which is why screening for breast cancer cells is so critical. There are several symptoms you can watch for, though, and if you notice any of these, you should see your doctor immediately!
- Swelling of all or part of a breast (even if no lump is present)
- Skin dimpling (also known as orange peel skin)
- Breast or nipple pain
- Nipple retraction (turning inward)
- Nipple or breast skin that is red, dry, flaking, or thickened
- Nipple discharge (other than breast milk)
- Swollen lymph nodes under the arm or near the collar bone (sometimes this can be indicative of breast cancer spreading even before the original tumor in the breast is large enough to be felt)
“Remember that knowing what to look for does not take the place of having regular screening for breast cancer. Screening mammography can often help find breast cancer early, before any symptoms appear. Finding breast cancer early gives you a better chance of successful treatment,” says the American Cancer Society.1
Self-Exams
Breastcancer.org says, “Regularly checking your breasts may help you find breast cancer early, when it’s more likely to be treated successfully.”
The following are steps for a traditional breast self-exam:
- Examine your breast in a mirror with your hands on your hips. Look at their usual size, shape, and color, and check that they are evenly shaped with visible distortion or swelling. If you notice any of the above symptoms listed above, consult your doctor immediately.
- Raise your arms and examine your breasts. Look for any changes as noted above.
- Look for signs of breast fluid.
- Feel for breast lumps while lying down. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few finger pads of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Press down with your fingers and move them in a circular motion that’s about the size of a quarter (or an inch around). Cover the entire breast from top to bottom, side to side — from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage. To examine the whole breast, begin at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach the outer edge of the breast. Be sure to feel all the tissue from the front to the back of your breasts. When you've reached the deep tissue, you should be able to feel down to your ribcage.
- Feel your breasts for lumps while standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in Step 4
Mammogram Screenings
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation1 (BCRF) published the new United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations for breast cancer screening in May 2023. They specifically noted that the age at which women should begin screening has been lowered from 50 to 40 years of age. The new guidelines are:
- Start breast cancer screening at age 40
- Get screening mammograms every other year from ages 40-74
- Higher risk cases may require annual mammograms
“The major benefit of screening is that it helps detect breast cancer sooner. When breast cancer is caught early, it is nearly 100 percent curable. Women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer can also be cured with fewer and/or less intense treatments and surgeries. Mammograms and breast cancer screening have saved millions of lives,” explains the BCRF.
I don’t believe that thinking pink should stop when November begins. After all, women are diagnosed with breast cancer every day of every month of every year. In 2024, the American Cancer Society’s2 estimates for breast cancer in the United States were:
- About 310,720 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women
- About 56,500 new cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), or early stage
- About 42,250 women and 530 men will die from breast cancer
“Breast cancer mainly occurs in middle-aged and older women. The median age at the time of breast cancer diagnosis is 62. This means half of the women who developed breast cancer are 62 years of age or higher when they are diagnosed. A very small number of women diagnosed with breast cancer are younger than 45,” explains the American Cancer Society.
Moreover, in terms of breast cancer incidence in men, the BCRF2 added, “About one in 833 men will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. While that statistic may not sound as daunting as the equivalent for women—one in eight will be diagnosed in their lifetime—the fact that male breast cancer is so rare makes it uniquely challenging.”
If you or a loved one is currently undergoing breast cancer treatment or recovering from surgery, a Home Helpers caregiver can provide the compassionate support you need. Our professional, highly trained caregivers are dedicated to Making Life Easier® by assisting with personal care, light housekeeping, grocery shopping and meal preparation, transportation to and from medical appointments, and much more.
I am happy to offer a FREE Assessment to discuss needs and recommend specific in-home care services we can provide to help you or your loved one who is navigating the challenges that come with breast cancer treatments and recovery.
Home Helpers® Kankakee & Frankfort is honored to have been ranked among the Activated Insights 2025 Top 100 Leaders in Experience for home care providersand to have received the Best of Home Care® Provider of Choice, the Best of Home Care® Employer of Choice, and the Best of Home Care® Leader in Experience Awards 2025, in addition to the Daily Journal’s Readers’ Choice Award 2025.
Home Helpers® Kankakee & Frankfort proudly serves male and female seniors in Beecher, Bourbonnais, Bradley, Dwight, Frankfort, Kankakee, Manteno, Mokena, New Lenox, Orland Park, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Tinley Park, Watseka, Wilmington, and surrounding areas. Contact our office today to learn more about the many services offered through Home Helpers® - We are Making Life Easier℠ for you and yours! 815.427.4238
Sources:
Breast Cancer Research Foundation1