A breast self-exam (SBE) for breast cancer detection is often discussed as a practice for older women, but it should actually be adopted by every young woman. An SBE is a simple way to check your breasts for unusual changes. It does not replace professional screening, but it helps you become familiar with your own body so that you can notice any new developments sooner. Ideally, this practice should begin early in life.

A breast self-exam involves looking at and feeling your breasts to understand what is normal for you. The purpose is to become familiar with your body and be able to detect anything that differs from your normal more quickly. Medical experts recommend doing this once a month, preferably just after your menstrual period ends. If you do not menstruate, choosing the same date each month helps create consistency.

Performing regular self-exams can help women identify abnormalities and seek medical advice sooner than they might otherwise. Early detection of breast cancer can be lifesaving. Many women first notice a change themselves before a doctor would. By practicing self-exams, you give yourself the chance to catch symptoms earlier.

The procedure for performing an SBE is simple but requires care and attention. The goal is to feel all around the breast, including the area above and to the sides of the chest muscle and each armpit. Use different motions and positions to make sure no area is missed. A mirror can help you spot visual changes and ensure every part of the breast is examined. Be focused and intentional, taking time to notice not only lumps but also any abnormalities in skin texture, nipple discharge, or differences in size or shape.

It is important to understand that breast tissue naturally feels uneven and bumpy. Not every bump is dangerous. What matters is noticing any changes. This is why building this habit from a young age is essential. Starting early helps you become familiar with your baseline.

The idea that young women do not need to think about breast cancer is a myth. Cancer can occur at any time. It is important to notice anything abnormal quickly and take action. Some women worry that finding something unusual must mean cancer, but this is not true. Most lumps turn out to be harmless conditions. However, the only way to know for sure is to get checked by a healthcare provider. Another myth is that only people with relatives who have had breast cancer should practice this. Family history is not necessary to develop breast cancer. Only about 5 to 10 percent of cases are familial, and most occur in people without any family history.

A self-breast exam takes only a few minutes once a month and costs nothing. Adopting this habit is not about creating fear but about paying attention to yourself. If you notice something different, visit a health facility for advice and testing. Remember that going to the hospital is not only for those who are sick but also for maintaining good health. Early action saves lives.

Writer :  Dr. Hosaena Gebru

Dear Letena,

My name is Mekdes Abera. I am a senior in high school and just finished my University Entrance Exams. I do not want to brag, but I am one of the top students in my school. I recently won a national general knowledge contest. I have many hobbies, I play basketball, I have a good social life, and people often tell me about my potential to do great things. I believe that too. But something has happened that puts all of that into doubt for me. I am writing to you today because I feel overwhelmed and lost. I fear I might be pregnant.

My period is late. I have not told anyone yet, but in my heart I know that pregnancy is a possibility for me. My boyfriend and I are usually careful. We knew what we needed to do to prevent things like this, but to be honest we weren’t always careful. I think I even know when it might have happened. It was oldies day at our high school. Some friends had brought wine, and my boyfriend and I drifted away from the group. We were tipsy, enjoying the music, and we got carried away. I am ashamed to admit that, no matter how brave I think I am, I don’t always know how to say what needs to be said in the moment. Especially in intimate situations, it feels almost rude to speak up.

We are both so young. My boyfriend is kind and supportive, but he is just starting out in life, without stable income and still dependent on his family. Besides, there is so much we have yet to experience. Sometimes I imagine myself holding a baby, but then I remember the life I want to build: completing my studies, pursuing my career, and traveling. All those dreams feel like they could slip away if I become a mother now.

The thought of telling my family terrifies me. They are strict and have always warned me to wait, to be responsible, and to focus on my education. I do not know how they would react. They have always been supportive and progressive, but would that change in the face of something like this? What if they try to push me into a decision I do not want?

I have also been thinking a lot about abortion. I know it is a difficult subject for many, but right now it feels like an option I cannot ignore. I don’t want to end up resentful, trapped in a life I didn’t want. I want to make my own choice about my body, my life, and my future. Does this make me selfish, or does it make me honest to admit that I am not ready for motherhood yet?

I feel caught between fear and hope. On one hand, I do not want to disappoint anyone. On the other, I know that if I am pregnant, whatever choice I make will change me. I just do not know which path will be the right one.

NB: The character in this story is fictional, and the name generated randomly.

Writer: Dr. Hosaena Gebru

Dear Letena,

I am a 30-year-old man from Addis Ababa, and I am writing because I do not know where else to turn with my worries. For some time now, I have been struggling with a very personal concern.

My wife and I have been married for about three years. From the beginning, it has been an important part of our plan to build a family together. We have been trying to conceive month after month, but despite our hopes and prayers, nothing has happened. At first, I told myself it might just take time, but as the months turned into years, my concern has grown. The silence in our home feels heavier with each passing season. My wife has been patient, loving, and supportive, but I cannot escape the feeling that the problem might be me.

During the New Year holiday, when our family gathered, one of our relatives asked us about children. That moment weighed heavily on my wife, and soon after she decided to have her fertility checked. The results showed no major problems. She gently asked me to get tested as well, but out of fear I reacted badly. I told her I was fine and became defensive, as if her suggestion was an accusation. Since then, I have found myself searching online in my free time, trying to understand what could affect a man’s fertility. I have read that past smoking, heavy drinking, untreated infections, stress, and even long hours of heat exposure can all play a role. Some of these apply to me. I smoked in my early twenties, I worked in hot and exhausting environments when I lived in Dire Dawa, and stress has been a part of my life for years. The more I read, the more I wonder if my lifestyle and choices could be the reason for our struggles.

All of this has left me feeling torn between shame and responsibility. I do not want to admit to myself, or to my wife, that the problem could be mine. At the same time, I know that denying it only creates more distance between us. Whenever she brings up the subject, I see the hurt in her eyes when I shut down the conversation. I want to be the husband who supports her, not the man I have become. The truth is, I feel scared. I am scared to get checked, scared of being judged by my family, and scared of what the results might mean for our future together.

That is why I am reaching out to you. I hope your team can offer me some guidance, whether it is advice, information, or the first steps I should take to get tested. I would also like to know where I can go for counseling if my fears turn out to be true. Even sharing my story here brings me some comfort. I want to face this openly for my wife, for our future, and for myself. I just need some support to take the right steps.

Writer : Kidus Solomon