While many of the early signs and symptoms of breast cancer are not noticeable without a professional screening, there are some symptoms that can be felt or observed if you know what to look for and how to look for it.

In this guide, breast health expert Diana L. Lam, M.D., answers our community’s most asked questions about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, gives instructions on how to perform a breast self-exam, and offers advice on how to stay breast self-aware.

In this guide, we’ll answer:

• What are the signs and symptoms of breast cancer?
• How do I perform a breast self-exam?
• What does a breast lump actually feel like?
• What should I do if I notice a sign or symptom?
• And more!

“This guide answers common questions about breast cancer signs and symptoms. It can be scary and overwhelming to feel a breast lump or other symptom and not understand what it may mean or what to do. This guide will help you be more proactive about your breast health and help us work together to detect breast cancer earlier.”  -Diana L. Lam, M.D.

Here’s a sneak peek of what’s inside the free guide, Most Asked Questions: Breast Cancer Signs & Symptoms.

Where can we send your free guide?

As a reminder, all breast changes or abnormalities should be discussed with your healthcare provider right away.

The post Most Asked Questions About Breast Cancer Signs & Symptoms appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Caregiving is a labor of love.

If you are one of the 20-plus percent of Americans providing unpaid caregiving to another adult, then you have likely experienced uncertainty, frustration, and maybe even exhaustion. But hopefully, you have experienced moments of connection and compassion as well.

While many aspects of a patient’s diagnosis are out of your control, there are things you can do to improve the quality of life for both you and your loved one. The Cancer Caregiver Guide is here to help you every step of the way as you provide care to someone facing cancer.

NBCF’s free Cancer Caregiver Guide includes:

• The information you need to get organized as a caregiver
• The key roles—and challenges—of caregiving
• Tips on self-care
• Questions to ask the patient’s healthcare team
• Advice from real caregivers
• And more!

“I saw my mom go through being a caregiver three different times in her life, and I know how burdensome it can be on your mental and physical health. The Cancer Caregiver Guide resonates with me as it offers practical tips on how to be a caregiver and information on how to take care of yourself as a caregiver.” -Paula P.

Here’s a sneak peek of what’s inside the free guide:

National Breast Cancer Foundation recognizes that cancer care takes a village and that caregivers play an essential role in the cancer journey. This guide honors your dedication and helps you navigate this time more easily while sharing strategies to support you and the person you care for.

Where can we send your free guide?

The concepts in this guide are non-medical in nature and are intended for supplementary purposes only. If you are experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis, please seek immediate help from a doctor or mental health professional, or call 988.

The post The Cancer Caregiver Guide appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

While not every woman with breast cancer chooses to have surgery, it is the most frequent form of treatment and includes options that go well beyond a mastectomy. In fact, many procedures today are less invasive.

If you or a loved one is considering surgery, our free Breast Cancer Surgery eBook is a comprehensive guide to understanding the available options and procedures for breast surgery.

This free downloadable eBook features:

• Details on surgical options from lumpectomy to skin-sparing mastectomy and more, plus helpful terms to know
• Q&A with Lillie Shockney, a two-time breast cancer survivor who has worked tirelessly to improve care for patients around the world
• The latest information on breast reconstruction and other cosmetic options
• Support for healing from surgery and going home

“This 33-page eBook is full of information to help people understand breast surgery. It can be overwhelming to hear surgery options and know what to do next. But it’s important for every patient to understand the breast surgery recommendations from their medical team, especially if they have several options. We created this resource to help you feel empowered as you face your breast cancer journey.” – Cinthia Gonzalez, Director of Education & Outreach, NBCF

Here’s a sneak peek of what’s inside the free Breast Cancer Surgery eBook:

Where can we send your free eBook?

As a reminder, all medical and surgical procedures should be discussed with a medical professional.

The post Breast Cancer Surgery eBook appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

You are NOT your thoughts.

This can be difficult to remember when you get frustrated or overwhelmed, but it is an important distinction to make. Whether you are a cancer patient, survivor, caregiver, loved one, or simply looking to strengthen your mind-body connection, practicing mindfulness can help you center your thoughts and bring you back to contentment.

Thanks to the beauty of mindfulness, you can reinvigorate your thoughts and beliefs about who you are and what you are capable of.

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is being fully present in the moment, and aware of your thoughts, feelings, and environment in a nurturing way. It involves accepting your feelings and thoughts without judgment and focusing on the present moment, rather than the past or future.

There is a powerful connection between mental health and physical health—a true mind and body connection—and a strong mindset can make a tremendous difference during life’s challenges.

In our free guide, 10 Prompts to Mindfulness, you’ll receive:

• Information on self-limiting beliefs and how to overcome them
• Encouraging affirmations for everyday use
• Short prompts that incorporate gratitude, reflection, compassion, self-love, and more
• Tips on beginning a meditation or guided breathing practice to support your mental, emotional, and physical health

Welcome in gratitude and release self-limiting beliefs with simple and effective tips for mindfulness anytime you need a boost.

Here’s a sneak peek of what’s inside the free guide:

Where can we send your free guide?

The concepts in this guide are non-medical in nature and are intended for supplementary purposes only. Practicing mindfulness should not take the place of recommendations from your medical care team. If
If you are experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis, please seek immediate help from a doctor or mental health professional, or call 988.

The post 10 Prompts to Mindfulness appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Are you ready to make your next doctor’s appointment a little easier?

Our brand-new Medical History Checklist can help you and your doctor identify important health information, find medical history details related to breast cancer, and support better doctor’s visits for years to come.

This free downloadable eBook includes:

• A comprehensive medical history checklist (you can print or fill it out directly on your phone or computer!)
• Details on how your health history can impact your cancer risk and whether you should consider genetic testing
• Ideas for approaching your family and gathering information with ease

NBCF’s Medical History Checklist can help you unlock your family’s medical history to support your current and future health goals. Here’s a sneak peek:

Where can we send your free eBook?

The post Family Medical History Checklist appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

To support more open and honest conversations about breast health, you can get our free, brand-new eBook: How to Talk about Breast Health.

Historically, breast health hasn’t been talked about enough in our communities and even in our families. That’s why we’re here to help you navigate these important and potentially life-saving conversations! 

In this free eBook, you will discover:

• 3 steps to talking about breast health
• Early detection basics
• How to address stigmas
• Why people ignore symptoms
• Conversation starters

Where can we send your free eBook?

The post How to Talk About Breast Health appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Eating well can support your overall health and wellness, no matter where you are in your cancer journey. Fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals all contribute to a healthy diet, which can help fuel your recovery, boost your energy levels, and optimize your health.

Our new Healthy Recipes for Cancer Patients eBook is a free resource that delivers good nutrition and great taste in each recipe. Even better, all of these recipes can be enjoyed by the entire family.

The eBook includes:

• 10 healthy recipes from breakfast through dinner—plus healthy snack ideas
• Tips for food safety
• Simple options that make healthy cooking and nutrition more accessible
• Pro tips from registered dietitian Annie Cavalier, MS, RDN, LD

About the Author

Annie Cavalier is a clinical registered dietitian who works at one of the largest hospitals in Dallas. She attended the University of Texas at Austin for her bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics and received her master’s degree in nutrition from Texas Woman’s University. Annie’s interest in nutrition was sparked when she was 12 years old, and her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. With the help of a friend who is a chef, Annie’s family learned how to prepare healthy, delicious food that her mother was able to eat during treatment. Noticing how much of an impact food and nutrition had on overall health and well-being, Annie set out to learn more about the science behind food and its relationship to health.

Annie runs her own nutrition and lifestyle website, My Healthful Life, which she plans to grow into a private practice. In addition to writing articles for her own website, Annie has also written for the University of Texas Department of Kinesiology’s Fitness Institute of Texas, Southern Dallas Magazine, and more. This is her second publication with the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Where can we send your free eBook?

The post Healthy Recipes for Cancer Patients eBook appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Finding the right resources is easier than ever, thanks to our eBook Quiz!

Depending on your personalized recommendations, you may learn more about topics ranging from recurrence to finding hope, from healthy living to connecting with cancer patients.

The eBook Quiz will help you:

• Find the perfect resource to support your physical, mental, and emotional health
• Discover the latest information on topics including nutrition, mammograms, bra sizing, and more
• Empower you to make proactive choices that support your health
• Take the next step in your personal journey

“There’s something you can do right now to be proactive about your breast health—take this eBook Quiz! Being informed greatly increases the chances of early detection.”
— Cinthia Gonzalez, Director of Education & Outreach, National Breast Cancer Foundation

Take the eBook Quiz Today:

Your eBook recommendations will be sent via email upon completion of the quiz.

The post eBook Quiz appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Beginning chemotherapy can bring up a lot of emotions: fear, anticipation, uncertainty, hope, and pretty much everything in between.

That’s why we created a trusted companion as you begin your chemo journey. Chemo Messages is a free email series offering support and inspiration throughout treatment.

With videos and messages of care from survivors who have been there, as well as helpful resources and the reassurance you need to take the next step, Chemo Messages offers the right words at the right time.

Messages include:

• Inspirational videos from NBCF Director of Outreach and Education, Cinthia Gonzalez, fellow “pink sisters,” and NFL player Brandon Carr
• A meditation series to support you throughout chemo and beyond
• Curated Spotify playlists to listen to during chemo or anytime you need to unwind
• “Finding Hope that Heals” eBook
• Book recommendations
• Check-in emails
• And more

“Wow, Chemo Messages is absolutely incredible! What I would have given to have this support, even virtual and through emails, when I needed it. 

I thought about this quote several times throughout chemo: Tomorrow will be better. There were days I thought it couldn’t get any worse, and I wanted to run away from myself, but the next day would be better! So I continued to tell myself this quote during the rough days, and it helped to get through them.” – Emily, breast cancer survivor

Where can we send your free Chemo Messages?

The post Chemo Messages appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

The most frequently asked question for women who have had breast cancer is: What are the chances it will recur?

With the aim of answering a wide range of questions while providing support, empowerment, and education, a free Q&A follow-up to our first Recurrence eBook delves deeper into breast cancer recurrence and related issues.

Created by National Breast Cancer Foundation and Lillie Shockney, former Director of Johns Hopkins Breast Center, nurse, and two-time breast cancer survivor, this second volume addresses common questions from patients, survivors, and caregivers about recurrence from the perspective of a cancer survivor and expert in the field. No topic is off-limits.

Topics include:

• The risk of recurrence
• Local vs. distant recurrence, including signs and symptoms of both
• Treatment options
• Hormone therapy
• Follow-up care
• Coping with anxiety
• The latest research and statistics

“Fear of recurrence is the #1 concern for women who have had breast cancer. Even if they had Stage 0, they are often just as frightened as those who had Stage 3. Giving patients the ability to get their head around recurrence is key to not letting it monopolize their thoughts. To women who have faced breast cancer, don’t allow cancer to be in charge.” – Lillie Shockney, former Director of John Hopkins Breast Center & two-time survivor

“There is great information in this eBook! I’m so glad NBCF produced it to discuss the variables regarding chances of recurrence.” – Camille, two-time breast cancer survivor

Tell us where we can send your free copy of Most Asked Questions About Breast Cancer Recurrence:

The post Most Asked Questions About Breast Cancer Recurrence appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Not all breast changes indicate cancer; there are other common breast problems every woman should know about.

Download the free eBook, Breast Problems That Aren’t Breast Cancer, to learn about the most common benign (non-cancerous) breast problems, how to detect them, if they are harmful, and how they’re treated.

More women have benign breast problems than breast cancer. Breast cysts, breast pain, and infections are just a few of the non-cancerous breast problems many women experience.

Topics include:

• Explanations of common non-cancerous breast problems
• How to detect these problems
• How these problems are typically treated
• When breast changes are likely to happen

Tell us where we can send your free copy of the eBook, Breast Problems That Aren’t Breast Cancer:

The post Breast Problems That Aren’t Breast Cancer eBook appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

The phrase “You are what you eat”  is important to remember, but it has a critical impact when your body is fighting and trying to heal. Our new eBook can help you create a healthy, sustainable diet during and after treatment.

Nutrition is an important, but sometimes overlooked, part of breast cancer treatment. After all, the right fuel can help manage side effects and help the body heal.

Our new eBook Nutrition Care for Breast Cancer Patients will teach those in treatment and their caregivers about creating nutritious meals that are easy to prepare and safe to eat.

Topics include:

• Nutrition 101
• Food Safety and Why it is Important
• Managing Treatment Side Effects with Nutrition

About the Author:

Annie Cavalier learned from a young age that nutrition plays a huge part in health. At 12 years old, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. A close family friend who also happened to be a chef helped her family learn how to prepare delicious meals without sacrificing flavor, allowing Annie’s mom to eat during her treatment.

Since then, Annie has studied dietetics and nutrition at the University of Texas at Austin. She’s currently working towards her master’s degree in nutrition from Texas Woman’s University and completing her dietetic internship to receive her license as a Registered Dietitian. Annie is also the founder of My Healthful Life, a nutrition and lifestyle website.

Tell us where we can send your free copy of the eBook, Nutrition Care for Breast Cancer Patients:

The post Nutrition Care for Breast Cancer Patients eBook appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Cancer comes with many challenges: making difficult decisions, dealing with side effects and uncertainty, grieving losses, and adjusting to change. One challenge no one talks about is finding the best hopes for getting good care and living as fully as possible.

Our latest eBook Finding Hope that Heals, written by Wendy S. Harpham, MD, guides patients and caregivers to strengthen hopes that help and to let go of those that may harm. Along with powerful insights and inspiration, the eBook offers practical exercises you can do anywhere.

“Wendy tells you how to nourish hope that heals—realistic hope, honest hope, hope that can keep you from wasting time and energy on despair, denial or wishful thinking…” —Jane Brody, NY Times

The mission of NBCF revolves around hope. We want to change the conversation that often ends with a rallying cry to “Have hope!” Instead, we want that to start a new conversation about which hopes can help you today, how to nurture them, and how to let go of those that might harm. 

We’re honored that Dr. Harpham created this exciting eBook with us. Her award-winning writing and patient advocacy work demonstrate her dedication to patients. Her own remarkable survival through and beyond cancer serves as testimony to the power of healing hope to help you live your best life, whatever the circumstances. 

“I thoroughly enjoyed this eBook and am excited that others can use its message, too. Now I’m off to do my ‘hope-work’!” —Pat Battaglia, metastatic cancer survivor, Associate Program Director, Breast Cancer Coalition Rochester

Topics include:

• How does hope help you heal?
• How might hope harm you?
• How do you determine which hopes are healing?
• What if you’re having trouble finding hope?

Plus, original “hope-work” exercises to make your hope strong.

– Wendy S. Harpham, MD 

Tell us where we can send your free copy of the eBook, Finding Hope that Heals.

The post Finding Hope that Heals eBook appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

According to the National Cancer Institute, nearly 50% of all women age 40 and older have dense breasts. Like Joan, many women don’t know whether they have dense breasts or what that means.

Knowing whether you have dense breasts is important because women with dense breasts have a higher risk of developing breast cancer, and often need supplemental screenings to a mammogram.

Our Dense Breasts Q&A Guide answers these commonly asked questions:

• What are dense breasts?
• How do women know if they have dense breasts?
• How common are dense breasts?
• What contributes to having dense breast tissue?
• Do dense breasts feel different when performing a breast self-exam?
• Does having dense breasts increase the likelihood of developing breast cancer?
• Is additional screening needed if a patient has dense breasts?

When it comes to your health, you are your own biggest advocate. This free guide aims to educate you about dense breasts and how to be your own best advocate for your health.

Where can we send your free guide?

The post Dense Breasts Q&A Guide appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

We know that scheduling your yearly mammogram may be nerve-racking, but this important screening doesn’t have to be painful or scary! The eBook Mammogram 101 takes the guesswork out of the documents you’ll need and the questions you should be asking your doctor at your next appointment. This eBook also includes a checklist of symptoms to provide your doctor in case you’ve experienced any abnormalities in your breasts since your last exam.

In Mammogram 101, we walk you through the entire mammogram process—before, during, and after your appointment—with helpful tips and key resources to guide you every step of the way. Be proactive to help your next screening go as smoothly as possible by downloading this free guide now.

Where can we send your Mammogram 101 eBook?

The post Mammogram 101 eBook appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Many of the symptoms of breast cancer are invisible and not noticeable without a professional screening like a mammogram or ultrasound. But some symptoms can be caught early just by looking out for certain changes in your breasts and being proactive about your breast health. 

Our new guide, Know the Symptoms, provides a checklist of symptoms that will help you know what to look for in your breasts during a self-exam and take note of the important information to provide your doctor to guide them in their professional evaluation of your health. Know what to look for when checking your breasts by getting this free guide.

Where can we send your free guide?

The post Know the Symptoms Guide appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with getting a call from your doctor that your mammogram screening was abnormal. Don’t panic. We have an informative and helpful resource that will arm you with the information you need to understand your next steps. Also, the good news is that most of these calls with abnormal mammogram results will ultimately not be breast cancer, but it’s best to make sure you’re okay.

In the free guide, Abnormal Mammograms and What to Do Next, we will walk you through the next steps after an abnormal mammogram. We will detail the different kinds of tests you may need and most importantly a list of specific questions for you to ask your doctor at your next appointment. We want you to be prepared to face your results and be empowered with information critical to your health.

Where can we send you your Abnormal Mammograms and What to Do Next guide?

The post Abnormal Mammogram eBook appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. While we can’t prevent breast cancer, we can make sure that every woman has the tools and education she needs to be proactive about her health.

Packed with crucial and potentially life-saving information, What Every Woman Needs to Know about Breast Care will answer questions like:

• What do I do if I feel something abnormal in my breast?
• Where do I get a mammogram?
• Can I actually detect breast cancer?
• How do I know if I’m at risk?

Get the free eBook now:

The post What Every Woman Needs to Know eBook appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Did you know that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime? That’s a harrowing statistic. But with the right knowledge and a balanced lifestyle, caring for your breast health doesn’t have to be daunting.

We want to empower you to be proactive about your breast health today.

With you in mind, we put together the complete Breast Health Guide with common questions you may have thought of (and some you haven’t) regarding early detection of breast cancer, healthy habits to incorporate in your daily life, how to assess your personal risk, signs and symptoms, types and stages of cancer and so much more.

Get answers to all of your questions about breast health and more in this free Breast Health Guide.

Tell us where we can send your copy:

The post Breast Health Guide appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Did you know that 4 out of 5 women are wearing the wrong bra size? For something we wear all day long, the right fit can make all the difference in how our clothes look, how we feel that day, and our ability to live our lives pain-free!

We know that while the way your bra fits should not affect your breast cancer risk, it’s a very important part of your overall breast health.

That’s why we’ve teamed up with the bra fit experts at Dillard’s to bring you this exclusive Bra Fit Guide! 

Your free guide will include answers to the most frequent fit questions like:

• Why do I always have to adjust my bra?
• How do I know if my current bra fits?
• Is it normal that my bra leaves red marks on my shoulders?
• What factors affect bra size?
• How do I measure cup size and band size?
• How can I tell if my bra is too small or big?
• How can I tell what type of bra is right for me?
• How do I get my straps to stop slipping off my shoulders?
• How do I prevent my bra cups from gapping at the top?

Get answers to these questions and more in this free Bra Fit Guide.

Tell us where we can send your copy: 

The post Bra Fit Guide appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Even when you know it’s important, in the busyness of everyday life it can be easy to let health and wellness fall by the wayside in favor of easier or unhealthy habits. We care about your health and want to see you have a healthy mind, body, and awareness about your health.

Because we care, we’ve created a series of free weekly healthy living tips that are quick to read, easy to implement, and will help you drop those bad habits and replace them with good ones!

Each week, we’ll send you a new tip to your email inbox to help you live a more balanced lifestyle. Some of the topics we will send tips on are:

• Healthy eating
• Water intake
• Sleep patterns
• Exercise
• And more!

We hope these tips encourage you to make healthy living a priority in your daily life.

Where can we send your healthy living tips? 

The post Weekly Healthy Living Tips appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Knowing the right thing to say when you find out your loved one has cancer can be challenging. You don’t want to overwhelm them or make them feel burdened, but you also don’t want to make light of the situation.

We hear from hundreds of people that they wish they had been more prepared, or knew the “right” thing to say when a loved one was diagnosed with cancer.

The “right” thing to say is different for everyone, but after working with breast cancer patients for over 25 years, we have some suggestions to help you figure out how to best approach those tricky conversations.

We want to empower you to be the best support system you can be. This free eBook will help guide healthy conversations, give you suggestions on what to say and what not to say during those conversations, and equip you with additional resources to help your loved one through this tough experience.

Get the free guide, What to Say to a Cancer Patient, today!

Tell us where we can send your copy:

The post What to Say to a Cancer Patient eBook appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

NBCF conducted a survey of breast cancer survivors and discovered that the #1 topic of interest for these women is risk of recurrence. 

Breast cancer is a heavy topic, and the idea that cancer can come back can be daunting. That’s why we partnered with Lillie D. Shockney, former Director of the Johns Hopkins Breast Center, nurse, and two-time breast cancer survivor, to create this Recurrence eBook. Lillie has written 15 books and over 200 articles about cancer. 

Lillie comes at the subject from every angle—expert, medical provider, and patient. Her input is invaluable and easy to read, and every breast cancer patient can benefit from her knowledge. Since not everyone will have the fortune to meet Lillie in person, we wanted to provide her candid advice the best way we could. 

Topics include: 

• What is Recurrence?
• Follow-Up Care
• Side Effects vs. Symptoms
• Hormonal Therapy
• Coping with Fear of Recurrence
• Risk of Metastatic Recurrence
• Outcomes with Recurrence

Tell us where we can send your free copy of the Recurrence Guide:

The post Breast Cancer Recurrence eBook appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

This year, over 250,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. The good news is that when breast cancer is detected early, it can be treated more successfully, increasing the chances for survival.

It is important to know the signs and symptoms of what could potentially be breast cancer. To help with this, National Breast Cancer Foundation has identified three steps you can take to be proactive about your breast health and help increase your chances of detecting breast cancer early.

This potentially life-saving information can be found in our free guide, 3 Steps to Early Detection. This free resource helps you answer three important questions:

1. What should I look for if I examine my own breast?
2. When should I see my doctor?
3. When and how often should I get a mammogram?

Get answers to these questions and more in this free guide.

Tell us where we can send your free copy:

The post 3 Steps to Early Detection Guide appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.

It is alarming to know that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. While you can’t prevent cancer, it is important to be proactive about your health. In fact, there are things you can do to help reduce your risk for certain types of cancer. 

Do you know how to choose healthy habits? What are some characteristics that increase the risk of developing cancer? What are the general guidelines for breast cancer early detection screenings? How often should I get these screenings?

All of these topics are covered in the Healthy Living and Personal Risk Guide. Be informed and protect your health by getting this resource.

Where can we send you this potentially life-saving health guide?

The post Healthy Living & Personal Risk Guide appeared first on National Breast Cancer Foundation.