We Believe in Breast Health Education

A CASE FOR SUPPORT
 
 

a timeline oF our disconnect

Historically, medical guidelines encouraged women to be educated on Breast Self Exams (BSE) starting in high school.

2002

The “Shanghai Study” revolutionized breast health by finding that the teaching of BSE was unlikely to reduce mortality from breast cancer. Yet in the author’s own words,

“This was a trial of the teaching of BSE, not of the practice of BSE. It should not be inferred from the results of this study that there would be no reduction in risk of dying from breast cancer if women practiced BSE competently and frequently.”
- D Thomas, et al. p.1456

 

Over the next 15 years, medical guidelines backed away from teaching BSE. A campaign for “breast awareness” filled its place.

2003

American Cancer Society (ACS) states BSE are optional, “Women should be familiar with how their breasts normally look and feel and should report any changes to a health care provider right away.”

2009

United States Preventative Services Taskforce (USPSTF) “recommends against clinicians teaching women how to perform breast self-examination. (Grade D recommendation)”.

2017

American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) issues bulletin, “BSE is not recommended in average-risk women because there is a risk of harm from false-positive test results and a lack of evidence of benefit.”

 

Despite the shift in guidance from BSE to “breast self-awareness” (BSA), our research suggests 54% of young survivors have never heard of BSA. THIS Is not only confusing, it’S DANGEROUS. non-profits, sisters, mothers, friends and physicians (with time) have been trying to fill this health gap.

“Women should be educated about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and advised to notify their health care provider if they notice a change such as pain, a mass, new onset of nipple discharge, or redness in their breasts.”
- ACOG 2017 bulletin

 why we’re here

Our RESEARCH found that 62% of YOUNG SURVIVORS DID NOT FEEL THEY WERE EDUCATED on BREAST HEALTH by a PHYSICIAN PRIOR to DIAGNOSIS.

Without proper education, many women do not know to advocate for themselves, especially if informed they're 'too young’.

 

The average adolescent and young adult (AYA) breast cancer patient is diagnosed at a higher stage and has a higher mortality rate compared to their 40+ counterparts.

 

Mortality rates are even higher amongst young BIPOC persons and non-binary folks.

 

Average Risk Young women are too young for MAMMOGRAMS, and must rely on self-detection.

This affects more than young women. ACS recommends that women of average risk begin annual mammograms at 45 and USPSTF recommends mammograms start at 50 years old. ACOG continues to recommend that mammograms be offered starting at age 40.

 

Many YOUNG women are turned away by their physicians, told they’re ‘Too Young’ or ‘NOT HIGH RISK’, causing delays in Diagnosis.

Nearly 50% of our survey participants experienced delayed diagnoses due to a medical provider’s failure to order imaging or biopsies after evaluation.

ADA, 38, ignored symptoms for 3 years. Ada was diagnosed with Stage IV de novo breast cancer.

ADA, 38, ignored symptoms for 3 years. Ada was diagnosed with Stage IV de novo breast cancer.

ANDI, at 16 years old she hid her symptoms of Inflammatory Breast Cancer until it was too late and Stage IV de novo.

ANDI, at 16 years old she hid her symptoms of Inflammatory Breast Cancer until it was too late and Stage IV de novo.

NIYA, delayed 5 months. She was breast feeding and assumed the lump was a clogged duct.

NIYA, delayed 5 months. She was breast feeding and assumed the lump was a clogged duct.

STEPHANIE, 30, delayed 7 months. She was offered antidepressants and a psych eval because she returned 3x to the same physician concerned about her breast lump.

STEPHANIE, 30, delayed 7 months. She was offered antidepressants and a psych eval because she returned 3x to the same physician concerned about her breast lump.

PATRICIA, 27, delayed 10 months. Her OB/GYN was reassured by the lump feeling tender and never ordered diagnostics.

PATRICIA, 27, delayed 10 months. Her OB/GYN was reassured by the lump feeling tender and never ordered diagnostics.

SHONTE, 25, had a leaky nipple for 2 years and was diagnosed with a hyperactive duct. She was diagnosed Stage IV de novo breast cancer.

SHONTE, 25, had a leaky nipple for 2 years and was diagnosed with a hyperactive duct. She was diagnosed Stage IV de novo breast cancer.

CHIARA, 27, was sent home from radiology reassured she was "too young, it was just a cyst". One year later she was diagnosed with Stage IV de novo breast cancer.

CHIARA, 27, was sent home from radiology reassured she was "too young, it was just a cyst". One year later she was diagnosed with Stage IV de novo breast cancer.

ALEXIS, 29, delayed 18 months. Physicians incorrectly reassured Alexis her lump was a "benign fibroadenoma".

ALEXIS, 29, delayed 18 months. Physicians incorrectly reassured Alexis her lump was a "benign fibroadenoma".

MISSY, 34, delayed 11 months. Her radiologist incorrectly reassured her it was a "benign fibroadenoma".

MISSY, 34, delayed 11 months. Her radiologist incorrectly reassured her it was a "benign fibroadenoma".

DI, 36, delayed 2 months. Di was diagnosed with mastitis when she had Inflammatory Breast Cancer, Stage IV de novo.

DI, 36, delayed 2 months. Di was diagnosed with mastitis when she had Inflammatory Breast Cancer, Stage IV de novo.

MARICIA, 36, delayed 7 months. OB/GYN incorrectly reassured her the nipple crust was "dermatitis".

MARICIA, 36, delayed 7 months. OB/GYN incorrectly reassured her the nipple crust was "dermatitis".

MIROSLAVA, 27, delayed 10 months. Miros had an aching in her breast and was reassured it was "nothing".

MIROSLAVA, 27, delayed 10 months. Miros had an aching in her breast and was reassured it was "nothing".

MELISSA, 34, delayed 7 months. She waited to see a physician because her mother had a history of breast cysts.

MELISSA, 34, delayed 7 months. She waited to see a physician because her mother had a history of breast cysts.

WE CAN FIX THIS:

ADVOCACY TRIANGLE OF EFFORTS

YBCP amplifies survivor stories to better educate all women and people with breasts on breast health through our events and awareness campaigns.

Rooted in these stories, we conduct and present our community-based research to medical communities to educate them on the unique experiences the AYA community faces and to advocate for earlier diagnosis of disease.

it’s up to us:

how you can help