Know Your Normal: National Breast Health Recommendations for October
Each October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month serves as both a reminder and a call to action. It is a time when healthcare professionals, patients, and communities come together to promote early detection, education, and support. This year, Her Health Innovated is proud to provide concise Self-Exam Guidelines to help your staff guide patients in understanding breast health. These materials are designed for use in clinical settings, waiting areas, and social media platforms, ensuring that clear, evidence-based information reaches every woman.
The guidelines outline how to check, what to look for, and when to screen, all reflecting the latest national recommendations from leading health authorities. By combining patient education with updated clinical standards, we can strengthen the partnership between awareness and prevention.
What the Latest Recommendations Say
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released updated breast cancer screening guidelines recommending that women at average risk begin biennial mammography at age 40 and continue through age 74. This change represents an important shift, lowering the starting age from 50 to 40 in order to catch more cancers earlier and reduce disparities in outcomes.
For women aged 75 and older, the evidence remains inconclusive, and decisions about continued screening should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider. Women at higher risk—such as those with a family history of breast cancer, known genetic mutations, or previous chest radiation—should follow a personalized screening plan determined by their medical team.
These recommendations emphasize the importance of regular, evidence-based screening while also acknowledging that one approach does not fit all.
From Self-Exams to Self-Awareness
For decades, women were encouraged to perform monthly breast self-exams as part of preventive care. However, recent research has shown that formalized self-exam routines may not significantly reduce breast cancer deaths and can sometimes cause unnecessary anxiety or medical testing.
Today, national health organizations including the American Cancer Society and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourage breast self-awareness instead. Self-awareness means being familiar with the normal look and feel of one’s breasts and promptly reporting any changes to a clinician.
This shift in focus empowers women to trust their instincts and observations rather than rely solely on a structured, monthly routine. It transforms breast health into an ongoing dialogue between patient and provider, built on attentiveness rather than anxiety.
How to Guide Patients in Building Self-Awareness
During patient visits, healthcare providers can integrate small but meaningful conversations about breast health. Encourage patients to take a few moments each month to observe themselves in the mirror, paying attention to how their breasts typically appear. They should be aware of changes in contour, texture, or symmetry, as well as nipple alterations, discharge, dimpling, or localized swelling.
When patients notice something unfamiliar, reassure them that most breast changes are benign but should always be evaluated professionally. The key message is to “know your normal” and to act early if something seems different.
By emphasizing observation over routine, clinicians can reduce the pressure of “doing it right” while still reinforcing the value of awareness and timely action.
The Role of Mammography
While breast self-awareness is valuable, mammography remains the cornerstone of early detection. Screening mammograms can detect cancer before symptoms appear, improving survival rates and expanding treatment options. Encourage patients to schedule screenings on time and to follow through with recommended imaging intervals.
Clinicians should also remind patients that factors such as breast density, hormone therapy, and lifestyle can influence individual risk. Personalized discussions about screening frequency, imaging methods, and follow-up testing are essential to providing comprehensive, compassionate care.
Moving Forward with Purpose
Breast cancer awareness is not confined to a single month. It is a year-round effort that begins with education and continues through consistent, compassionate care. By combining the latest national screening recommendations with supportive patient communication, healthcare providers can help every woman understand that prevention starts with knowledge.
This October, let us recommit to early detection, informed awareness, and community engagement. When women know their normal and act early, lives are saved—and that is the true goal of every conversation we begin.