Feel On Your Breast
- thevaginaliberator
- May 23
- 2 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Feel on Your Breasts—It Can Save Your Life
Each year, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, along with 1 in 1,000 men (team, Key Statistics for Breast Cancer , 2024).
Black women are at a higher risk of developing Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)—and often at a younger age than white women (Saenz, 2022).
What is TNBC?Triple-Negative Breast Cancer is a type of breast cancer where the tumor cells do not have estrogen or progesterone receptors and do not overproduce the HER2 protein. That means common treatments like hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or HER2-targeting drugs don’t work, making TNBC more difficult to treat and often more aggressive (team, Triple-negative Breast Cancer , 2023).
Why this matters for us:Because of the higher rate of TNBC, breast cancer tends to be more aggressive in Black women, and outcomes are often more severe. Although only 5–10% of breast cancers are hereditary, genetic testing like the BRCA1 and BRCA2 tests can identify your risk and help you make proactive decisions (Saenz, 2022).
Early Detection Saves LivesYou are more likely to detect changes in your breasts before your doctor does. That’s why monthly self-breast examsare essential. Here's how to check:
Lie down or stand upright in the shower.
Raise your left arm over your head.
Use your right hand to press gently but firmly in a circular motion over your left breast.
Then press in an up-and-down motion, covering the entire breast area.
Don’t forget to press toward your armpit—lumps can form there too.
Switch sides and repeat.
Apply enough pressure to feel deep tissue, but not so hard that it causes pain.
Important Note:It’s common for Black women to have naturally lumpy breasts, but after age 30, new lumps should not be forming. If you feel anything new, call your doctor immediately.
You know your body better than anyone else.Touching your breasts is simple, free, and can save your life. Check yourself. Teach your loved ones. Keep the conversation going.
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