Know Your Body. Know Your Risk. Know Your Resources: A Breast Cancer Awareness Month Guide
Breast cancer awareness is about more than wearing pink. It's about understanding the statistics, recognizing changes in your body, knowing when to get screened, and having the information and resources to advocate for your health.
Every October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month brings renewed attention to one of the most common cancers affecting women in the United States. But awareness is only meaningful when it empowers people to take action.
For some, that means scheduling a mammogram. For others, it means learning about family history, recognizing a potential warning sign, understanding breast density, or finding affordable screening services.
At SHE+ Foundation, we believe that access to accurate, inclusive, and understandable health information is essential to bodily autonomy and equitable healthcare.
This October, we're breaking down what the numbers tell us, what changes to look for, when screening is recommended, and where to find support.
Breast Cancer by the Numbers: What You Should Know in 2026
321,910
Estimated new invasive breast cancer cases in U.S. women in 2026
42,140
Estimated breast cancer deaths among U.S. women in 2026
~1 in 3
New cancers diagnosed in women are breast cancers, excluding skin cancers
4 million+
Women living in the U.S. who have been diagnosed with breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women in the United States, excluding skin cancers. The median age at diagnosis is 63, but approximately 1 in 10 women diagnosed with breast cancer are younger than 45.
These statistics demonstrate why breast health education matters throughout adulthood, not just later in life.
The good news is that screening and treatment have advanced significantly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 99% of women diagnosed with localized breast cancer are alive five years after diagnosis.
However, survival depends on many factors, including cancer type, stage, access to treatment, and individual circumstances. Early detection improves the opportunity for successful treatment, but it cannot guarantee a particular outcome.
Know Your Normal: What Changes Should You Look For?
One of the most accessible ways to become more informed about your breast health is to understand what is normal for your body.
Breasts naturally vary in shape, size, texture, and sensitivity. They can also change with menstruation, pregnancy, aging, weight fluctuations, and hormonal changes.
Not every change is a sign of cancer. In fact, many breast lumps are caused by noncancerous conditions. However, knowing what is typical for you can make it easier to recognize changes that deserve medical attention.
Eight potential warning signs of breast cancer
According to the CDC, changes worth discussing with a healthcare professional include:
A new lump in the breast or underarm.
Thickening or swelling in part of the breast.
Dimpling or irritation of the breast skin.
Redness or flaky skin on the breast or nipple.
A nipple that begins turning inward or changes appearance.
Nipple discharge other than breast milk, particularly bloody discharge.
Changes in breast size or shape.
Persistent or unusual breast or nipple pain.
Some people with breast cancer experience no noticeable symptoms at all, which is one reason routine screening is so important. Important: You do not need to find a lump to have a legitimate breast health concern. Skin changes, nipple changes, and other unusual symptoms deserve attention, too.
How to Check In With Your Breast Health
Breast self-awareness means becoming familiar with how your breasts typically look and feel so that you can recognize meaningful changes.
It is different from relying on a formal monthly self-examination as a cancer screening test. Routine self-exams have not been shown to replace or provide the same benefits as mammography.
You can practice breast self-awareness by noticing your breasts during everyday activities, such as showering or getting dressed.
Your breast health check-in
Use these prompts as a personal awareness guide, not a diagnostic test.
Have I noticed a new lump, swelling, or thickened area?
Has the shape, size, or appearance of either breast changed?
Have I noticed dimpling, redness, or other skin changes?
Have my nipples changed or produced unexpected discharge?
Have I experienced new, persistent, or unusual discomfort?
Do I know when my next recommended mammogram is due?
Breast self-awareness should empower you, not create anxiety or a feeling that you must constantly monitor your body. The goal is familiarity, not perfection.
For additional information, visit the CDC's guide to breast cancer symptoms.
When Should You Get a Mammogram?
A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray that can identify changes in breast tissue, sometimes before a lump can be felt.
Screening recommendations vary depending on age, medical history, family history, and individual risk.
Breast cancer screening recommendations vary based on age, personal health history, and individual risk factors. According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), women at average risk should receive a mammogram every two years beginning at age 40 and continuing through age 74. The American Cancer Society (ACS) offers slightly different guidance, recommending that women ages 40–44 have the option to begin annual mammograms, women ages 45–54 receive mammograms annually, and women ages 55 and older transition to screening every one to two years. The ACS recommends continuing screening as long as a person is in good health and has a life expectancy of at least 10 years. For adults age 75 and older, the USPSTF notes that there is insufficient evidence to determine the balance of benefits and harms of routine screening. Individuals with higher-than-average breast cancer risk, including those with certain genetic mutations or a strong family history, may need to begin screening earlier or receive additional imaging, such as breast MRI. Discussing personal risk factors with a healthcare provider is essential to determining the most appropriate screening schedule.
People with higher-than-average risk may need earlier or more frequent screening, including breast MRI in addition to mammography.
If you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, a known genetic mutation, or previous radiation exposure to the chest, speak with your healthcare provider about a personalized screening plan.
Remember: Screening is intended for people without symptoms. If you notice a concerning breast change, do not wait until your next scheduled mammogram. Seek a clinical evaluation.
Understanding Your Personal Breast Cancer Risk
1 in 8 Women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime, on average. A lifetime risk statistic is a population average, not a prediction of what will happen to an individual.
Factors that can influence breast cancer risk include age, inherited genetic changes, family history, breast density, reproductive history, and certain lifestyle factors.
Having a risk factor does not mean you will develop cancer. Similarly, having no known risk factors does not mean you cannot develop it.
Breast Cancer Disparities: Why Access Matters
Breast cancer does not affect every community equally.
Black women are approximately 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women, even though white women have a slightly higher incidence of breast cancer overall.
Black women are also more likely to be diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive subtype that has fewer targeted treatment options than some other breast cancers.
These differences are influenced by multiple factors, including tumor biology, structural inequities, access to timely diagnosis, insurance coverage, and treatment quality.
For SHE+, this is a critical reminder that sharing screening recommendations is only one part of breast cancer advocacy.
A person may know they need a mammogram but still struggle to afford one, arrange transportation, find an available appointment, or navigate follow-up testing.
Improving outcomes requires making healthcare more accessible, affordable, inclusive, and responsive to patients' needs.
Where to Find Free or Low-Cost Mammograms and Support
Cost should not be the reason someone goes without potentially lifesaving screening. Several national and state programs help eligible individuals access breast cancer screening, diagnostic services, and related support.
CDC National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
Provides free or low-cost screening and diagnostic services for eligible individuals with low incomes who are uninsured or underinsured.
Ohio Breast and Cervical Cancer Project
Ohio residents can receive screening navigation and, if eligible, no-cost mammograms and diagnostic services.
Call 1-844-430-2227 to learn about eligibility and enrollment.
FDA Mammography Facility Finder
Search by ZIP code for FDA-certified mammography facilities that meet federal quality standards.
CDC Breast Cancer Education
Learn about symptoms, screening options, risk factors, and questions to discuss with your provider.
Five Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider
Being informed about your health also means feeling empowered to ask questions and participate in decisions about your care.
At your next appointment, consider asking:
Based on my personal and family history, what is my breast cancer risk?
When should I begin mammograms, and how frequently should I have them?
Do I have dense breast tissue, and does that change my screening recommendations?
Would genetic counseling or additional screening be appropriate for me?
If I notice a change in my breasts, what is the process for getting evaluated?
You deserve clear answers, appropriate follow-up, and a healthcare environment where your concerns are taken seriously.
This October, Turn Awareness Into Action
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity to do more than share statistics. It's an opportunity to make those statistics meaningful.
Know your family history. Become familiar with your body. Understand when screening is recommended. Learn what resources are available in your community. And encourage the people you care about to take their breast health seriously.
At SHE+ Foundation, we believe access to accurate health information is a fundamental part of reproductive and bodily autonomy. Every person deserves the knowledge, resources, and support necessary to make informed decisions about their health.
This October, don't stop at awareness. Get informed. Ask questions. Know your resources. Advocate for yourself and others. Because knowledge can empower action, and access to care can save lives.
Sources and Additional Reading
American Cancer Society. (2026). Key statistics for breast cancer.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2024). Breast cancer screening recommendation.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026). Screening for breast cancer.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026). Symptoms of breast cancer.
National Cancer Institute. (2025). Breast cancer causes and risk factors.
National Cancer Institute. (2026). Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool.
Ohio Department of Health. (2026). Breast and Cervical Cancer Project.
Educational disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and does not replace personalized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Screening recommendations and eligibility requirements may differ based on individual circumstances.
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