Two years ago, at the age of 49, I had never had a mammogram and only sporadically did breast self exams. When I became aware of a painful lump in my left breast, I was certain it was a reaction to all the hype surrounding Breast Cancer Awareness month, which is October. Denial can be pretty darn creative, don't you think?
I'm not going into the details of the story because it's already here in my blog. However, I do want to help MTs learn from my mistakes. Breast Cancer Awareness month is all about getting women to be aware and to participate in early detection of breast cancer. I am using the TranscriptionConnections network of sites to promote breast cancer awareness. Details of the promotion are at Breast Cancer Awareness Month promotion [1]. All prizes have been purchased from sources that donate a portion of the proceeds to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation.
Being aware helps us, our sisters, our mothers and our daughters to detect breast cancer early until we find the cure.
Thanks to everyone who participates in the promotion - it'll be more fun than a mammogram!
Hello to a Fellow Survivor
It has been a just year for me as well. I know you understand what I have gone through. I was also lucky, having had an abnormal mammogram in 7/2004 without being aware of it, not returning for a follow-up mammogram until March of 2007 and seeing a "spiculated mass" when I was brought back in for diagnostic studies. I was sure my mammogram had been mixed up with another. I immediately realized how horrible it would be to die because of an oversight in the medical setting. Thanks to good pathology, though, it appears I will be okay. Though there is a lesson here and that is, we have to take our medical care into our own hands, learn as much as we possibly can about it and take an active role in decisions regarding our treatment. There is a website called www.breastcancer.org [2] which holds a wealth of information in a forum-type setting. The women there are able to give you reassurance, helpful information and point you in the direction of where you can get more information.
I was waiting for age 50 to get annual mammograms but now realize that fter age 40, annual mammograms are recommended.
If SBE is awkward for you, use the silky creamy textured bath/shower gel (Dove is a good one) and it will make a SBE a daily event so that any difference is noticed immediately.