Research shows that women who are dissatisfied with their breast size are significantly less likely to perform monthly breast self-exams, and less likely to report findings to their doctor. In one study only 20% of women were satisfied with their breast size and a third had never done a breast self-exam. Body shame is a measurable barrier to early cancer detection.
We’re told to perform a breast self-exam every month. Simple enough advice. Except it turns out that for many women, it’s anything but simple.
Research reveals a startling truth: the more dissatisfied a woman is with her breast size, the less likely she is to do a breast self-exam. And if she finds something? She’s less likely to report it to her doctor. This is body image dissatisfaction and shame and medical avoidance working together against us, quietly and dangerously.
The numbers are sobering. In one study, only 20% of women were satisfied with their breast size. One third wanted smaller, half wanted larger. And about a third had never done a breast self-exam at all.
Breast self-exams can trigger shame and embarrassment, so it gets avoided. Out of sight, out of mind. Except that’s not how cancer works.
More than half of the women studied said they wouldn’t see a doctor if they felt a lump. Ten percent said they’d wait until the absolute last moment. Some said they wouldn’t do anything at all.
Let that sink in.
Ladies, you are not alone in how you feel about your body. Not even close. This isn’t just an abstract women’s mental health statistic. Talk to any cancer survivor and they’ll tell you early detection is everything. But let’s make a deal; let’s not die of embarrassment.
Your life is worth more than your discomfort. Check anyway.
Building a stronger you, one day at a time, Dr. Claudia
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