Breast Cancer Awareness Includes Everyone at Risk

Your breast/chest health deserves knowledgeable, compassionate care without assumptions about who you are.

Every October, Breast Cancer Awareness invites patients and providers alike to speak up and take action around breast health. Here at Spectrum Medical, we believe that breast and chest care needs should be compassionate and inclusive of every body and identity. That includes cisgender women, transgender men, transgender women, nonbinary individuals, and anyone with a heightened risk of developing breast cancer.

Keep reading to learn more about risk factors and screening protocol to stay in charge of your breast/chest health this month and beyond.

Why Breast Cancer Awareness Matters 

With approximately 2.3 million new cases identified every year, breast cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. This form of cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the breast tissue grow and form a tumor. These cancerous cells can form in the breast duct or lobules, and may remain localized or spread to other parts of the body. Symptoms can vary widely from person to person, so it’s critical to detect any cancer in the breast or chest early so that a patient has the best options for treatment available to them.

While it is most common in people assigned female at birth (AFAB), it can also happen to individuals who have undergone breast augmentation or have grown breast tissue as a result of hormone replacement therapy. The disease is usually framed as a “women’s issue,” but that language can unintentionally exclude people who still require information and care.

Spectrum Medical takes an inclusive approach to breast cancer awareness, recognizing that:

• AFAB, intersex people, nonbinary individuals, and cisgender men can all have a breast cancer risk, and therefore all deserve compassionate education.
• A person’s gender identity alone doesn’t determine screening needs; anatomy, age, medical history, hormone use, family history, and genetics all contribute to a person’s individual risk. 
• Transgender and gender-diverse patients can face additional barriers to accessing breast health information or resources, which underscores the importance of culturally competent care.

Understanding Personal Risk

There is no single breast cancer risk profile. Some patients are diagnosed with breast cancer with no known family history of the disease, while others may have a genetic predisposition or other identifiable risk factors.

The best way to understand your individual risk and medical needs is by speaking with a qualified healthcare provider. This conversation can include:

• If you have any relatives who have had breast cancer or other types of cancer.
• If you’ve had prior radiation treatment to the chest.
• If you know that you have genetic mutations, including BRCA1 or BRCA2, or are interested in testing for them.
• Your breast/chest tissue density, which can affect risk and screening.
• Your history with gender-affirming hormone therapy, surgery, or other factors that may influence your screening plan.

The Importance of Screening

Current health guidelines recommend that people of average risk get yearly mammograms between 45–54, and every two years at 55+. If you are at a higher family or personal risk, you may benefit from additional or earlier screenings for breast cancer. The American Cancer Society encourages anyone with a high-risk for the disease to begin getting mammograms (and possible chest MRIs) around the age of 30. The best screening plans are personalized to you and your unique circumstances, so be sure to bring it up early and often during your annual check-up!

Self-screening is critical, too. Because you know your body best, you should contact a healthcare provider right away if you notice a new or unusual change in your breast or chest area. You’ll want to LOOK for changes in breast size, shape, skin, swelling, nipple appearance, or discharge. You’ll want to FEEL for any lumps, thickening, tenderness, or persistent, unexplained pain.

Remember: not every change automatically means cancer, but they deserve attention and a conversation with your health provider. Knowing what is normal for your body doesn’t replace annual screenings, but can help your provider understand the significance of changes and inform a proactive screening approach.

What to Expect During a Mammogram

Mammograms can sound scary, but they’re actually quite simple. When you visit Spectrum Medical for breast healthcare, our mammogram process is simple. You put your gown on and we take images of your breast tissue. The whole appointment takes about 20 minutes and you’re back to your day!

Before your appointment, we recommend:

• Avoiding deodorant, lotion, or powders in the exam zone.
• Wearing a two-piece outfit (with a removable top) for easy changing before and after the exam.
• Bringing any prior mammogram records to discuss with your provider, if applicable.

Routine breast health screenings can find changes early and lead to more treatment options and better health outcomes. One short appointment now means more options later, should you need them!

Turn Awareness Into Action 

Breast cancer awareness goes beyond a pink ribbon. This October, care for yourself by taking action to protect your breast/chest health and encourage those around you to do the same. That means scheduling a conversation about screening if you’re due or uncertain of your risk, and supporting your friends/chosen family to stay on top of prevention, too. 

Regardless of your identity or anatomy, you deserve personalized breast health support without barriers. Spectrum Medical, as Arizona’s LGBTQ+ healthcare home, is proud to offer comprehensive care services for AFAB patients and anyone with heightened breast cancer risk, all in a supportive, respectful environment. Your long-term wellbeing matters to us, and we’re here to help you stay proactive about it. Click below to become a patient at Spectrum Medical Care Center in Phoenix, Arizona.