New Delhi, Jan. 29 -- What does it mean to have breast self-awareness?

It's a more general, flexible approach to breast cancer prevention that involves staying familiar with how your breasts look and feel. It goes along with other early detection measures like getting regular mammograms.

Doctors suggest breast self-awareness as an alternative to self-exams - those monthly, methodical checks for any changes while applying pressure or lying down.

Two decades ago, the American Cancer Society stopped recommending self-exams for people with average breast cancer risk because there wasn't strong evidence they helped if people were taking other preventative measures like regular mammograms. And the monthly checks made some patients anxious ab...