Breast Aware vs BCH Know Your Breasts

Breast Aware is a medical / educational app promoted by Breast Cancer Ireland and helps women, through a reminder, to perform a breast check monthly. It is important to get into the habit of examining your breasts once a month so you can understand what is “normal” for you, so that if any abnormality should arise, it will be detected immediately and action can be taken. Earlier detection leads to a much more positive outcome.

Breast Cancer Hub (BCH)'s "Know Your Breasts" App serves as a vital monthly reminder for individuals of All Genders to perform Breast Self-Exams (BSE). Dr. Lopamudra Das Roy, founder of BCH, has encountered countless patients suffering from advanced-stage breast cancer due to lack of awareness, inaccessibility to healthcare, and proper treatment management, contributing to delayed diagnoses and, ultimately, death. These are a few heart-wrenching quotes shared with Dr. Lopa from patients lost: “I wish I knew that the painless lump in my breast was cancer.” “I was experiencing symptoms in my breast but had no idea they could be signs of cancer. I never imagined it was something so serious, especially at my age.” “I wish I had known how to check my breasts. If someone had taught me what to look for, I might have recognized the signs sooner.” “I’m 28 years old with Stage 4 breast cancer and no family history. I wish my doctors had told me about BSEs—I might have caught it earlier and saved myself. The delay has made all the difference.” All these concerns inspired Dr. Lopa to make a life-changing decision—resigning from her career in 2017 to dedicate herself fully to pro bono humanitarian work. She founded BCH to provide 100% free services, bridging global gaps with grassroots, sustainable solutions, and supporting patients throughout their entire journey. Simple steps can save lives. In 2018, BCH and collaborators created BSE Cards, translated into 24 languages, which have helped countless individuals in underserved communities detect breast changes early. To further expand this life-saving mission, BCH launched the “Know Your Breasts” app in 2025. This app empowers individuals to regularly perform breast self-exams, an essential practice for early detection. 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Men have breast tissue too, and though less common, male breast cancer is real. Screening refers to tests that detect diseases early, before symptoms appear. Formal screening in the form of annual mammograms is highly recommended by. While BSE is valuable for early detection and should be done monthly, they are not a substitute for formal screening. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that women start annual mammograms at age 40. For those with dense breast tissue, 3D mammograms or ultrasounds may be more effective, as dense tissue can obscure signs of cancer. Due to genetics, personal history, or other factors, those at higher risk may need earlier screening. But what happens when breast cancer appears at a younger age? Start BSEs around age 17–18 to become familiar with your breasts' look and feel. Report any changes—painful or painless lumps, asymmetry, or unusual texture or symptoms —to a healthcare provider, even if you recently had a mammogram. Your awareness could save your life. App Features: - Guided self exams: Step by step prompts to guide you through your self exam and check all relevant areas - Symptoms checklists: Don't miss any symptoms with a provided checklist to make sure you aren't missing the signs. - Monthly reminders: Send optional monthly reminders (push notifications) for users to complete their self exam - Period Tracking: Input period data in order to calculate the most effective date to perform a self exam - Inclusive: Self exam scheduling and walkthrough features are available to everyone, regardless of gender or menstruation status. Color scheme and test avatars can be adjusted based on user preference. - Multiple languages: Self exam text is available in multiple languages and counting - More resources: Learning resources are provided throughout the app. Privacy Policy: https://bch-know-your-breasts-app.apphq.online/privacy The app does not collect your data. All data is stored locally on your device.