I was in my late 40's and by that tme believed that woman my age should have regular mammograms. I had been doing so for quite a few years by this time. In October, which just happens to be NATIONAL BREAST CANCER MONTH, I went in for my regular exam, knowing it would be just that, a regular mammogram. Little did I know that this regular exam would make me a statistic! A week after getting my mammogram, I received a letter from the clinic saying that they needed more magnified views of my left breast. After scheduling these magnified views and having them done, I was called into the doctor's office and told that a "spot" had been found and it was to be of concern. Their recommendation was for me to come back in 6 months and have it rechecked. I thanked them and walked out in somewhat a state of shock. I had a "spot" in my breast and that spot just might be cancer and they want me to come back in 6 months to have it rechecked? I went home, talked this over with my family and made an appointment with a surgeon for a biopsy immediately. Two weeks later I went in for my first lumpectomy. The surgeon sent the tissue off to the pathologist and then it went off for a secoond opinion to a clinic back east. Two very long weeks after that, I received a phone call from the surgeon confirming the results....cancer! The type of cancer he said was ductal carcinoma in situ. I then went in for another surgery and had all the surrounding tissue removed and was scheduled for a round of radiation. After thirty-five radiation treatments later, I am cancer free! I credit my being cancer free to God almighty whom I firmly believe had His loving hand in my healing. I also give credit to the surgeon who suggested that I not wait the 6 months, to get it out and get a biopsy on it immediately. And of course the radiation that followed. Who knows what would have happened if I would have waited the 6 months.
I am now going in every 6 months for mammograms, but oh so willingly. I am a firm believer that early detection is your best possible chance for survival if you are one of those that happen to become a statistic also. If you are also told to wait 6 months and come back and have your "spot" rechecked and your intuition is telling you to have it checked now, DO IT! Do not wait because who knows, that just may very well be cancer in your body too and six months is a long time for that cancer to take hold. Get rid of it, the sooner the better
Did you know that all women regardless of family history, are at risk of getting breast cancer?
Regardless of family history, you are at risk for this disease. I know, again I am part of this statistic also. I am the first woman in our family to get it.
So I am here to tell you, do yourself a favor and extend your life for a long time, get a yearly breast exam! |
