October is the month when the world brings more awareness to breast cancer. But for me, each month is a reminder of how breast cancer can affect those we love. On March 1, 2013 my mom had a double mastectomy after a biopsy showed early signs of cancer. Luckily my mom has her mammograms performed yearly and the cancer was caught so early that she did not need radiation or chemotherapy.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, except for skin cancers. About 1 in 8 (12%) women in the US will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime.
The American Cancer Society’s estimates for breast cancer in the United States this year are:
- About 231,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women.
- About 60,290 new cases of carcinoma in situ (CIS) will be diagnosed (CIS is non-invasive and is the earliest form of breast cancer).
- About 39,620 women will die from breast cancer
Because of these statistics and family history, I am very proactive when it comes to my health. Since I turned 40 a few years ago, I also got the heads up from my PCP that I would need to start getting my yearly mammograms done. I already knew what to expect since I’d had one done in High School because a lump (thank goodness it was benign) was detected. So off I went to have the “girls” violated and flattened like a pancake. But what I didn’t expect was the letter that reported “your mammogram needs to be further evaluated”.
Wait…what?!?! So I just thought maybe the tech was having an off day and they just needed a clearer picture. This lead to me having 2 more mammograms and ultrasounds. Each one showed a lymph node that clearer was not right. The next step was to meet with a breast specialist to determine the next course of action. Thankfully the results from that procedure was fine.
Even if you don’t have a history of breast cancer, remember to be proactive when it comes to your health and if you have any of these 7 warning signs, speak with your doctor:
- breast or chest pain
- itchy breast
- upper back, shoulder and neck pain
- changes in breast shape, size or appearance
- a change in nipple appearance or sensitivity
- swelling or lump in your armpit
- red, swollen breasts
Remember with early detection, the rate of survival goes up tremendously. And I’m so happy that my mom was able to catch and kick breast cancer right in the ass! I can’t stress how important it is to pay attention to your body. As women we always want to make sure everyone else is ok and sometimes we put our own health on the back burner. Now my other goal is to look as fabulous as my mom does in her 70s! LOL
What a fantastic post! It is so important to be proactive. I have lost several friends to breast cancer over the years. I hope breast cancer awareness keeps helping to improve research and treatment.
Me too Betty! The stats are startling and I’m hoping we (as women) take care of ourselves just as much as we do family and loved ones.
My appt is Monday and even though it will be my 12th, I hate waiting for the results. Give your mom a big hug for me and tell her she is blessed!
I can’t wait to see all the pictures you share with us! LOL Nothing like getting the girls flattened to the width of a piece of paper to brighten your day. 😉
Yes ma’am… early detection is the BEST detection ~ the wait can be terrified so I could only imagine what was going through your head during that time thankful you got pass that and Mom did too because you can’t tell Mom NOTHING… she look stunning in her RED DRESS!!!! I see you MAMA!!!!! I commend her as I stand boldly as I support her and others who are fighting and who has fought this battle!!!
Xoxo
Lynn
http://www.faithnista.com
My mom is a three time survivor. First diagnosed in 1997. Survivors rock! Thanks for writing this post.
Thank you for sharing. I’m so glad you and your mom are ok.