October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I want to talk about something that deserves a place in our lives beyond the pink ribbons: making time for our breast health.
I go for my mammograms and breast sonograms every year. That is part of my own routine. I am not sharing it to make another woman feel guilty. I am sharing it because I want us to talk openly about our bodies, keep the appointments that are right for us, and speak up when something changes.
We can remember what everyone else needs and still move our own care to the bottom of the list. Sometimes the reason is a packed calendar. Sometimes it is money, fear, or an experience that left us feeling unheard. Whatever has stood in the way, you deserve a next step that feels possible.
From my perspective as a Black woman
I want to speak directly to women who have learned to keep going even when something feels wrong. We deserve space to say, “I need help,” and to receive a serious response. This invitation is for every woman, and it also makes room for the experiences Black women bring into the exam room.
Breast cancer affects women of every racial group, but outcomes are not equal. The American Cancer Society’s 2025 report described a breast-cancer death rate about 38% higher among Black women than White women. That is a population-level disparity, not a forecast for any one woman. [13]
We should not reduce that difference to women putting off appointments. National data show high mammography participation among Black women; unequal access to timely diagnosis and treatment and differences in tumor types also matter. We need both personal support and healthcare systems that follow through. [14, 18]
If you have postponed care, let this be encouragement to reconnect with it. If you have been trying to get care and running into obstacles, your effort matters. Tell the office exactly what is blocking the next step and ask who can help.
Your plan should fit you
My yearly tests are not a universal prescription. For women at average risk, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends mammograms every two years from ages 40 through 74. Other organizations recommend annual screening at certain ages. Your clinician can help you decide which schedule fits your history and preferences. [1, 2]
A breast sonogram is another name for ultrasound. It can help evaluate particular findings, but everyone does not need one every year. Ask why an additional test is being recommended and what it can and cannot tell you. [3]
One useful question is: “Based on my history, which tests do I need, and when?” Write down the answer. Ask about breast density and whether family history or previous findings change the plan. If you do not know your family history, say so. You do not need perfect information to begin the conversation.
Know your usual, and report a change
Breast self-awareness means knowing how your breasts usually look and feel. It does not mean you need to perform a perfect monthly ritual or diagnose yourself. Formal self-exams have not been shown to reduce breast-cancer deaths and do not replace mammograms. [11]
A new lump in the breast or underarm, nipple discharge other than breast milk, a nipple newly turning inward, dimpling, swelling, or another new skin or shape change deserves a call to your clinician. Persistent new pain should also be discussed. Many changes are not cancer, but a professional needs to assess the cause. [5]
Please do not wait until your next yearly visit to mention a concern. Tell your gynecologist, primary care clinician, or breast-care team what has changed, even if your last mammogram was normal. Explain the symptom when you schedule so the office can arrange the appropriate evaluation.
You are allowed to ask more questions
Sometimes the hardest part is finding the words once you are in the room. Try: “This is new for me, and I would like to understand what happens next.” Or: “If the test is reassuring but the symptom continues, what should I do?”
Bring notes if you need them. Ask for plain language. If you feel rushed, return to your main question: “Before we finish, can we make sure I understand the plan?” You are not being difficult by wanting to understand your own care.
The appointment is not the last step
Keep track of when results should arrive. If that date passes, contact the office. If additional imaging or a biopsy is recommended, ask who will arrange it and within what timeframe. A callback does not by itself mean cancer, but it does need the recommended follow-up. [8, 9]
If cost, time off work, or transportation is getting in the way, tell the office. Ask about assistance or a patient navigator. The CDC has a program locator for free or low-cost screening and diagnostic services for eligible women. You do not have to figure out every barrier alone. [10]
A resource to return to
I created Your Breast Health, Year After Year as an undated guide and workbook you can use beyond October. It includes information about screening and breast changes, questions for appointments, and reusable pages for your history, results, follow-up, and annual care review.
It is not a tool for diagnosing yourself. It is a place to keep the information and questions that can otherwise get scattered across calendars, papers, and portal messages.
Today, choose one action: check when your next test is due, request a missing result, call about a new change, or ask for help making an appointment. Let it be something specific you can follow through on.
Your body deserves attention in every season. You do not have to wait for a crisis to make room for yourself.
With care,
Sharonda Lynn
Founder, Still Becoming Wellness
Educational information, not individual medical advice. U.S. guidance checked October 8, 2026. Screening plans and recommendations can change.
Sources
[1] USPSTF: Breast Cancer Screening
[2] American Cancer Society: Screening Guidelines
[3] American Cancer Society: Breast Ultrasound
[5] CDC: Symptoms of Breast Cancer
[8] National Cancer Institute: Breast Cancer Diagnosis
[9] American Cancer Society: Understanding Your Mammogram Report
[10] CDC: Find a Screening Program Near You
[11] American Cancer Society: Screening Guidelines FAQs
[13] American Cancer Society: Cancer Disparities, 2025 Report
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