Let’s clear something up: cancer doesn’t care how old you are, what your gender is, or what language you use to describe your body. Whether you call them breasts, your chest, or something else entirely, what matters is knowing your normal and paying attention to changes.
Self-exams aren’t just for pink campaigns or people assigned female at birth. Breast cancer affects people of all genders, and early detection starts with awareness. So, whether you’re 20, 80, or somewhere in between, this habit is about showing up for yourself, without shame, without assumptions, and without waiting for permission to be taken seriously.
Why It Matters. Yes, Even in Your 20s
Most public awareness focuses on older adults, but around 10% of new breast cancer cases occur in people under 45. When diagnosed at a young age, it often tends to be more aggressive and is detected later (CDC, 2024).
And here’s the part that needs to change:
Many young adults say they weren’t taken seriously when they first raised concerns. Some were misdiagnosed. Others were told they were “too young” or “probably just hormonal.”
“I was a typical 17-year-old guy. One day, I scratched my chest and felt a lump behind my right nipple…I asked two doctors to check out the lump. Neither doctor was concerned. All they said was “let’s keep an eye on this…it’s a calcium build up…you’re becoming a man…it would go away.” Well, that never happened. “
– Bret Miller, Founder Male Breast Cancer Happens
“At the age of 26, I had gone to the doctor to have a lump in my breast checked out and was told that I was “too young” for breast cancer and that it was a cyst. A year later, I went in to have the “cyst” drained and walked out with a cancer diagnosis. .”
— Chiara Riga, Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer Thriver
Knowing your body and what’s normal for you can be your strongest tool for advocacy.
How to Do a Self-Exam (Regardless of What You Call It)
This isn’t about fear. It’s about familiarity. Think of it like checking in with yourself, physically and mentally.
Do it monthly, ideally a few days after your period (if you have one), when swelling or tenderness is lowest.
Here’s How:
- Look in the mirror: Arms down, then up. Look for swelling, shape changes, dimpling, puckering, or skin texture differences.
- Feel in the shower or lying down: Use the pads of your fingers in a circular motion to cover the whole area, from collarbone to armpit to beneath the chest.
- Note anything new: A lump, thickening, discharge, nipple inversion, or pain.
You’re not diagnosing. You’re just getting to know what’s typical for your body.
“…for women under the age of 40, for whom there’s no routine breast cancer imaging screening recommendations…Since most of these women aren’t indicated to have mammograms, many of these cancers are actually detected by women themselves, through self-breast exams.”
–Elizabeth Comen, breast medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering
A Note for Our Trans & Nonbinary Friends
If doing a chest or breast self-exam brings up feelings of dysphoria, you’re not alone — and there’s no one “right” way to approach this. What matters most is staying connected to your body in a way that feels safe and manageable for you.
Some tips we love:
- Do your self-exam over clothes if that feels more comfortable
- Try it in the shower where you might feel more at ease
- Use language that affirms you and your identity. No medical terms required.
- Check in with a friend who gets it. Your support squad knows what’s up!
The team at CoppaFeel! made a great guide with even more ideas. Bookmark it, save it, share it.
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Bottom line: Your body is yours. How you care for it should honor your experience and comfort. No shame. No judgment. Just love and awareness.
What If You Notice Something?
Don’t panic. But don’t ignore it either.
Call your doctor or local clinic.
Write down what you noticed and when.
Be clear: “I noticed a change and I’d like it checked.”
If you’re brushed off? Keep pushing. Bring a friend. Request a referral. You deserve answers and respect.
Make It a Habit (& Stay Accountable with a “Breast Friend”)
Knowing your normal is a powerful act. So create a habit that’s empowering, not scary.
Set a monthly reminder.
Text a friend when you do it—your Check-In Crew
Talk about it. Post about it. Help normalize it for others.
“When I was first diagnosed, I felt adrift in a sea of pink ribbons, support groups, and a community that didn’t quite reflect my experience. Breast cancer, after all, is largely perceived as a “woman’s disease,” and as a man navigating this space, I often felt invisible, out of place, and sometimes even unwelcome. It was a unique brand of isolation…”
Helpful Resources
- CDC: Breast Cancer in Young Adults
- Male Breast Cancer Facts – Susan G. Komen
- National Breast Cancer Foundation: How to Do a Breast Self-Exam
- Young Survival Coalition
- For the Breast of Us – An inclusive community for survivors of color
- Survivor Stories – Male Breast Cancer Happens
Final Word: Be Present, Not Perfect
You don’t need to be fearless. You need to be aware. Whether you’re navigating your own journey, supporting someone else, or just learning where to begin, this is your reminder that paying attention is powerful.
So check in with your body. Be your own advocate. And remember: no matter what you call it, your normal matters.