Women Get This Once A Year!

  I just went in for my annual mammogram the other day.  I go in every year and have since I hit the age of 40. I do not have any history of breast cancer in my mother, aunts, or other relatives but I still do it - Just in case.

A few years ago, my sister called me to tell me she'd found a lump in her breast.  Her doctor sent her in and it was found to be stage 3 breast cancer.  Specifically, invasive ductal carcinoma, the type of breast cancer women get 80% of the time and its more common in older women.

When I heard, I wondered why she had not been getting regular mammograms.  In my mind, it was obvious she hadn't done that, otherwise it wouldn't have been so far along but later on when I spoke to her, she'd told me the previous one had no sign of cancer.  None.

She underwent chemo and a double mastectomy.  The mastectomy was a precaution to prevent the spread.  In the process, she gained a bit of weight especially around the abdomen but when my father pointed it out, she replied she wasn't going to lose it because it was her future boobs.  We laughed over that and laughed hard.

Until her breasts were rebuilt, we'd laugh any time she had to adjust her boobs.  They were actually knitted triangles designed to fill in her cups.  Since they were not glued in place, they'd slip and she'd look crooked.

One day, she called to tell us everything was in remission.  We cheered and picked up our plans.  The plans that we'd move in with each other when we were old and grey.  We'd be like those spinster sisters you saw in the movies.  Life was good filled with family picnics, trips out on her boat, and a future but one day, she experienced a sudden pain in her back.

She went to the doctor and came back with a diagnosis the cancer had returned.  It was in her spine and a couple of lumbar collapsed due to the cancer.  It was back to more treatment.  She told me that cancer returns in 75% of the cases but I never actually researched that particular figure. 

The fight was on.  The first time through, she continued to work taking only a Friday off for treatment and on Monday, she'd be at work but the second time through, it was so much harder.  The company laid her off so she went on permanent disability. 

During the second round of treatment, she had her ups and downs. At the end, it looked like things were improving but someone shared some germs with her.  In less than 48 hours she died.  I hate it took her life so young but because of that, I make sure I go in and get my mammogram.  I make sure I do it every single year.  I do it because she had cancer and because I suffered cysts on a regular basis.

Will it catch cancer early?  All the nurses who work in that part of the hospital tell me, this is the best way to detect certain types of cancer earlier enough to treat.  I believe them and I encourage every woman aged 40 and above to go in and get a regular mammogram, especially if anyone has had cancer in your family.

I miss my sister but I will continue going in for the mammogram in her memory.  Let me know what you think and make a commitment to your health.  If you can't afford one, check around because there is often money donated to get mammograms for women.  Its important. 

Have a great day.

Mammograms

  Sorry guys, I realize this is considered a female topic but its extremely important, especially if there is any breast cancer in the family.

My sister was diagnosed with breast cancer several years ago.  As far as we know, she is the first one to be diagnosed with it.  After a course of treatment, a double mastectomy, and a lot of hanging in there.  She beat it.

I found out later that she'd been having mammograms regularly but it grew rapidly after one and when she found it, it was fairly large.

She went several years before she went to the doctor about her spine hurting.  Unfortunately, it turned out she'd developed bone cancer in the spine.  From what she said, it may never be cured but with regular treatment, they can control it and she could live to be 80 or 90. 

Believe it or not, she is very upbeat.  She says if one treatment does not work, there are more out there to try.  She is positive she'll do fine and out live her husband.  Every time I see her, she is positive everything is going well.  The last time I spoke with her, she said the cancer is shrinking and she's on a medication to rebuild her bone density.  She said her bones are so strong, she'll never get osteoporosis.

Because of her, I make sure I go in once a year, just after school ends, to have mine done.  I realize it does not always find cancer but the chances are better than if I don't go in.  Better safe than sorry.  I found out earlier in the week that my niece, my sisters daughter, found a lump and is going to get it checked.

Apparently, the women in her fathers' family have had breast cancer so her odds are greater than most others.  I heard she was scared and that is only natural.  My mother will let me know the results and if everything is well.  My niece is in her early 30's with 3 children so we are praying the results turn out to be nothing more than a cyst.

Today, I finally found out why they tell women not to use deodorant when going in for a mammogram.  The aluminum in the deodorant when viewed on the xray, often looks like calcification in the breasts and can lead the radiologist to a wrong conclusion.

I know breast cancer month is in October but I'm usually working then and thought I'd give a shout towards reminding women to think about having a regular mammogram, especially if there is a case of breast cancer in the family already. 

Tomorrow, I'll be back to normal topics.  Have a good day.