So, let’s bid a fond farewell to the BSE, and replace it with TLC: touch, look, check, the mantra of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, a leading British breast cancer foundation. Be aware of how your breasts normally feel. And when something changes, don’t ignore it. Track the change, and if it doesn’t go away, ask your doctor about it.

Mammograms: I’m going with Dr. Naughton. I know way, WAY too many women who discovered their breast cancer via mammogram, when the tumor was too small to be detected any other way.

In fact, I’m one of those women. Knowing how lackadaisical I used to be about paying attention to my breasts, I have no doubt at all that my stage 2 breast cancer would have been at least stage 3 by the time I noticed anything, and moving towards stage 4 by the time I acted (considering how reluctant I used to be to visit a doctor). How many of you have had the same experience? Quite a few, I’d guess. Maybe mammography doesn’t save lives, statistically. But I have no doubt it saved mine. And maybe yours.

Bottom line? Get to know your breasts, and take any changes seriously. If you’re over 40, get a regular mammogram. Don’t let statistics and studies dissuade you from taking care of yourself in the best ways you know how.

Learn more about detecting breast cancer on our Check a Breast Cancer Symptom page.