When You Know Your Body, You Save Your Life

Ladies,

Let’s be honest, most of us don’t spend much time studying our breasts unless something hurts, feels off, or that reminder to schedule a mammogram pops up. Between work, kids, and the constant balancing act called life, it’s easy to tune out small changes.

But here’s what I want you to hear clearly today: your breasts tell a story, and learning to listen is one of the most powerful forms of health literacy you’ll ever practice.

Your Body, Your Baseline

Every woman’s breasts are unique—what’s normal for you may not be normal for someone else. Hormones, age, and life stages all shape your breast tissue over time¹.

• During your menstrual cycle, estrogen increases blood flow and breast tissue fullness, while progesterone can make them feel tender or lumpy².

• In perimenopause, fluctuating hormones cause cycles of swelling and deflation³.

• After menopause, declining estrogen levels make breast tissue less dense and more fatty⁴—sometimes softer or smaller than before.

These shifts are natural—but they can also blur the line between what’s “normal” and what’s new.

That’s why documenting changes matters. When you know your body, you can tell when something isn’t right.

🩷 Health literacy isn’t just reading about your health—it’s understanding your own rhythms, documenting them, and confidently speaking up when something changes.

The Subtle Changes That Matter

Knowing your baseline helps you notice what’s different⁵. Keep an eye out for:

• A new lump or firm area that feels unlike surrounding tissue

• Dimpling, puckering, or “orange peel” skin texture

• Nipple retraction or discharge (especially bloody or on one side)

• Redness, swelling, or warmth that lingers

• A change in size, contour, or symmetry

These don’t automatically mean cancer—but they do mean your body is asking for attention⁶.

When you notice something new:

➤ Document it.Note the date, description, and location.

➤ Use your phone or journal. Quick notes are better than no notes.

➤ Trust your intuition. You live in your body every day—if it feels different, it is.

How to Speak Up at Your Appointment

Confidence starts with clarity. You don’t need medical jargon—just specificity.

“I noticed a firm area on my right breast near the upper outer side about two weeks ago. It hasn’t gone away. Can we order imaging to rule out anything serious?”

That’s not confrontation—that’s collaboration.

That's health literacy in action⁷.

Evidence-Based Next Steps

Depending on your symptoms and risk factors, your provider may recommend:

• Screening Mammogram: Annually or biennially starting at age 40 (earlier if high risk)⁸

• Diagnostic Mammogram: For specific concerns or abnormal findings

• Breast Ultrasound: Ideal for dense breasts or to evaluate specific areas⁹

• Breast MRI: For high-risk women or inconclusive results¹⁰

• Clinical Breast Exam: At least annually by a trained professional

If your provider suggests “just watching it,” you can respectfully ask:

“Can you share the reasoning for waiting?”

“What specific signs should I monitor before follow-up?”

These questions show understanding, engagement, and partnership.

If You Feel Dismissed

Unfortunately, women—especially women of color—are often told to “wait and see”¹¹. If that happens:

1. Document the visit. Write down the date, provider, and what was said.

2. Ask for documentation. Request that your concern be noted in your chart.

3. Request testing or a second opinion. You have every right.

4. Bring someone with you. Support helps you stay calm and assertive.

5. Stay persistent. Early detection is never overreacting—it’s proactive care.

Remember: your story matters, and your body’s changes are worth investigation.

Sis, This Is What Wellness Looks Like

Breast awareness isn’t fear—it’s faith in your body’s wisdom.

It’s about being fluent in you.

When you know what’s normal, you catch what’s not.

When you document your changes, you create your own medical timeline.

When you speak up, you shift the conversation—from silence to self-advocacy.

This is how we build a Wellness Legacy.

Not through perfection, but through awareness, courage, and connection.

So this month, slow down. Look. Feel. Write it down.

Because the more you know your body, the more powerfully you can protect it and make wellness your best accessory!

Your sister in wellness,

Lauren

References

1. Harvard Health Publishing. Breast Changes During Perimenopause and Menopause.2023.

2. American Cancer Society. Breast Cancer Early Detection and Diagnosis. 2024.

3. North American Menopause Society (NAMS). Hormonal Changes Across the Menopausal Transition. 2022.

4. National Cancer Institute. Breast Changes and Conditions. 2024.

5. CDC. What Is Health Literacy? 2023.

6. American Cancer Society. Understanding Breast Symptoms. 2024.

7. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Teach-Back Method for Health Literacy. 2023.

8. American College of Radiology. ACR Appropriateness Criteria® for Breast Imaging.2022.

9. Mayo Clinic. Breast Ultrasound Overview. 2024.

10. National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines. 2023.

11. JAMA Network Open. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Breast Cancer Diagnosis Delays. 2023.