For decades, individuals who visit the gynecologist for breast exams and internal checkups have been taught the importance of an at-home breast exam. I remember, as a teen, being taught by my mom how to feel for lumps and being told to integrate the technique into my self-care routine to keep risk for breast cancer development low. However, a recent medical guideline change might be bringing to light the risk of relying on self-checks for breast cancer. Keep reading to learn more about the important new rules.
Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines Are Changing—What You Need to Know
For years, doctors, providers and breast cancer advocacy organizations have emphasized the importance of self-checking one’s breasts, using a specific and regimented exam format for finding lumps or irregularities. Now, though, doctors are switching their mindset to focus on what is being called “breast self-awareness” instead in hopes of cultivating a more holistic approach to breast health.
According to a 2011 study by the Journal of Women’s Health, 25 percent of individuals with breasts uncover tumors by deliberate self-examination and 18 percent do so by accident. But for women at average risk for breast cancer (meaning family, history and genetics do not make one predisposed to the condition), self-checks are no longer the gold standard in the eyes of several breast cancer organizations, including the American Cancer Society. Why? According to research by NCBI, self-checks have led to an increase in patients being screened for cancer via biopsy and imaging and receiving false positives and without a significant increase in early diagnosis or a substantial reduction in cancer-related deaths, leading to the reconsideration of the self-check system.
Instead of systematic inspections of the breast tissue, doctors are now recommending a more overarching breast self-awareness. “It’s not a doing; it’s more of a knowing,” Dr. Mary Gemignani, chief breast cancer surgeon at NYU Langone Health, tells Live Science. “Most women know their bodies better than providers and any changes should be reported.” In terms of how to practice this self-awareness, Dr. Gemingnani recommends keeping an eye on the appearance of the breasts during day-to-day activities like changing and showering.
Changes to look out for when practicing breast self-awareness include lumps, hardening of the breast tissue, skin discoloration or lymph node changes like swelling under the arms or around the collar bone, as well as inverted nipples and discharge from the nipple. Keeping an eye on these areas, in addition to any sudden asymmetry or changes to the general appearance of the breast, is best for detecting early signs of breast cancer, Dr. Gemingnani says.
