Breast Cancer Awareness Month: 6 Ways to Take Charge of Your Breast Health

Breast cancer survivor and Chicago cosmetic dentist Dr. Jen Moran shares practical steps women can take to understand their risk, advocate for themselves and make their health a priority.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is about more than wearing pink. It's an opportunity for women to ask important questions, understand their personal risk factors and take a more active role in their health.

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 321,910 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed among women in the United States in 2026. The average woman has about a 1 in 8 chance of developing breast cancer during her lifetime.

For Dr. Jen Moran, a Chicago cosmetic and restorative dentist, mother of four and breast cancer survivor, these statistics are more than numbers.

Her own experience as a patient reinforced the importance of preventive care, understanding medical information and advocating for yourself.

Although there is no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer, there are meaningful steps women can take to better understand their risks and support their overall health.

1. Know Your Family History and Personal Risk Factors

Understanding your family's medical history is an important starting point.

Ask whether breast, ovarian, pancreatic or colon cancer has occurred in your family, and share that information with your physician.

Certain patterns of cancer in a family may indicate an inherited risk that deserves further evaluation.

Women with a strong family history may benefit from formal risk assessments, genetic counseling or genetic testing.

Dr. Jen's tip: Don't wait until your next annual appointment to start learning your family history. Having this information available can help guide conversations with your health care provider.

2. Understand Your Mammogram Results and Breast Density

Routine breast cancer screening plays an important role in early detection, but screening recommendations are not identical for every woman.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends mammograms every other year for women ages 40 through 74 who are at average risk. Other medical organizations offer different recommendations, and women with higher risk factors may need earlier or additional screening.

One particularly important consideration is breast density.

Dense breast tissue can make breast cancer more difficult to detect on a mammogram because dense tissue and certain abnormalities can appear similarly on the images.

Women should read their mammogram reports, ask whether they have dense breast tissue and discuss whether 3D mammography, also called digital breast tomosynthesis, or additional imaging may be appropriate.

While 3D mammography may improve detection in some circumstances, it does not eliminate the limitations associated with dense breast tissue.

Dr. Jen's tip: Don't just read whether your mammogram was reported as normal. Ask about your breast density, understand what your results mean and discuss your individual screening plan with your physician.

3. Pay Attention to Changes in Your Breasts

Knowing what is normal for your body can help you recognize when something changes.

Symptoms that deserve medical attention may include:

• A new lump or thickening in the breast or underarm
• Unexplained swelling or changes in breast shape
• Nipple discharge, particularly if bloody
• Skin dimpling or other unusual skin changes
• Persistent, localized breast pain or discomfort
• Changes in the nipple's appearance

Not every change indicates cancer, but unusual symptoms should be evaluated rather than ignored.

Dr. Jen's tip: If something doesn't feel right, speak up. A new concern deserves attention even if your most recent mammogram was normal.

4. Make Movement and a Healthy Weight Priorities

Regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight are important parts of long-term wellness and may help reduce breast cancer risk.

The American Cancer Society recommends that adults aim for 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous activity.

Walking, swimming, cycling and other forms of movement can all contribute to a more active lifestyle.

Maintaining a healthy weight is particularly relevant after menopause, when excess body weight is associated with increased breast cancer risk.

Dr. Jen's tip: You don't need to overhaul your entire routine overnight. Focus on building consistent habits that fit your lifestyle and that you can maintain over time.

5. Understand the Risks Associated With Alcohol and Smoking

Lifestyle choices can influence long-term health, including cancer risk.

Alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, even at relatively low levels. The National Cancer Institute identifies alcohol as a cause of several cancers, including breast cancer.

Women who drink alcohol should understand the associated risks and discuss their individual health circumstances with their physicians.

Avoiding tobacco is also an important part of reducing overall cancer risk and supporting long-term health.

Dr. Jen's tip: Small, informed lifestyle decisions can support your overall wellness. The goal is to understand your risk factors and make choices that support your health.

6. Make Self-Care and Preventive Health Part of Your Routine

Healthy habits work best when they become part of everyday life.

That means making time for preventive appointments, staying physically active, eating a balanced diet, prioritizing sleep and addressing health concerns rather than postponing them.

For Dr. Moran, breast cancer changed the way she thinks about these daily choices.

“Becoming the patient changed the way I think about health,” says Dr. Moran. “Women often become so focused on caring for their families, their careers and everyone around them that their own appointments are the easiest ones to postpone.”

Through JMK Wellness, Dr. Moran shares personally curated wellness essentials, including B12 and multivitamin patches and daily gummy vitamins that she incorporates into her personal routine.

While these products may be part of an individual's wellness habits, vitamins and supplements have not been established as substitutes for breast cancer screening or proven breast cancer prevention strategies. Women should discuss supplement use with their physicians, particularly if they are undergoing medical treatment.

Dr. Jen's tip: Think of wellness as a series of consistent decisions rather than a collection of quick fixes. Make your health a priority throughout the year, not just during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The Most Important Step: Advocate for Yourself

Breast cancer research and treatment have made significant progress. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer death rates have declined substantially since 1989, largely because of earlier detection and advances in treatment.

But awareness remains essential.

“Breast Cancer Awareness Month should be about more than wearing pink,” says Dr. Moran. “It should remind every woman to schedule the appointment she has been putting off, learn her family history and ask questions until she understands her own risk. You cannot control every outcome, but you can advocate for yourself, and you know your body better than anyone.”

Whether that means scheduling a mammogram, discussing breast density, learning your family history or making healthier daily choices, taking an active role in your health is an important investment in your future.

To learn more about Dr. Jen Moran's story, dental expertise and wellness philosophy, visit her About page. For her personally curated beauty, oral health and wellness favorites, visit JMKWellness.com.

For additional breast cancer screening guidance and educational resources, visit the American Cancer Society and consult your health care provider.