Boobs. Breasts. Tits. Tatas. Whatever you call them, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an invitation to familiarize and improve your relationship with your breasts. Why? Because you know your body best. Historically, women have been discouraged from touching their bodies, and disempowered by the idea that they don’t know what they’re doing. At Tia we believe that exploring your own body is one of the ways to be informed about your health. With that in mind, we joined with our friends at Lively and Complex Creatures to shed some light on breast education, and help you touch, explore, and know what’s normal when it comes to your boobs.

Step 1: Get to know your breasts

At Tia, we believe it’s important for all people with breast tissue to know what feels & looks normal for them, and report any changes to a healthcare provider right away. If you are touching and examining yourself regularly, every month after your period, when something really different pops up, you’re aware of it.

Step 2: Know what to look out for

If something seems off or you notice something that hasn’t been there before, talk with your provider. Don’t dismiss it.

Here’s a few things to be on the lookout for:

• Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin.
• A nipple that has changed position or inverted (pushed inward instead of sticking out).
• Redness, soreness, rash, or swelling.
• Fluid coming out of one or both nipples.
• Lumps, hardened knot, or any other breast changes.

Step 3: Familiarize yourself with the language of lumps

85% of breast lumps are benign–this means a mass on a mammogram does not necessarily indicate a cancer diagnosis. If you feel something, investigate further to distinguish between something harmless and something that you need to speak with a provider about.

Most breast lumps are the result of:

• Hormones -> lumps can appear and disappear with the menstrual cycle for women who are still menstruating.
• Family history

And sometimes...

• Poor nutrition
• Smoking
• Alcohol consumption
• Excessive caffeine

Step 4: Understand your risk factors

From age to lifestyle choices to family history, you should be aware of your personal risk factors. The rule of thumb for mammograms:

• People 40-44 should talk to their provider about risk factors and start annual mammograms, if they wish to do so.
• People 45-54 should get mammograms every year, & those 55+ should get mammograms every 1-2 years.
• Trans men & nonbinary folxs who take testosterone are less likely to have breast cancer, but still benefit form regular check-ins to ensure that they remain health