breast self awareness cancer prevention.

Breast self-awareness is a more flexible approach to preventing breast cancer that goes along with other essential screening measures. Two decades ago, doctors began recommending breast self-awareness as an alternative to self-exams — the monthly, methodical checks for changes to breast size or shape while applying pressure or lying down. Instead, they now suggest staying aware of how the breasts look and feel while going about daily life and reporting any changes to the doctor. It’s also important to maintain normal screening routines, including having mammograms yearly or every other year starting at age 40.