This was my introductory post 4 years ago when I began my quest to finish my Bachelors degree (which I am happy to say is complete and now over half way done with graduate school). Since this post, some very sad statistics have been added with more people I know being diagnosed with breast cancer. About eight years ago I found out a friend had breast cancer, she was 26 when diagnosed. After her surgeries, treatments, it looked like all was well. She had promise, beauty, brains, a job she loved, a sweet, kind heart ~ the world was at her finger tips. A few years ago, the big one hit again - and more ferociously. She endured treatments continually when the cancer came back - 3 solid years of chemo and radiation. Last summer, at 34 years old, Linda lost her battle ~ but will forever be remembered for the beautiful and graceful fighter she was.
If you have not been examined, make your appointment today. If you wife, sister, mother, daughter, grandmother, friend, next door neighbor has not been examined in the past year ~ insist on it. Is the pink ribbon beating us over the head in October? Maybe so as some people say. But I'd rather see the pink ribbon reminder than those I know in a treatment chair.
If you have not been examined, make your appointment today. If you wife, sister, mother, daughter, grandmother, friend, next door neighbor has not been examined in the past year ~ insist on it. Is the pink ribbon beating us over the head in October? Maybe so as some people say. But I'd rather see the pink ribbon reminder than those I know in a treatment chair.
Initial Post from September, 2009
October 1 kicks off Breast Cancer Awareness month. Breast cancer hit my radar screen in the summer of 1985 when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. It all began like it does with so many women, while getting ready in the morning, she felt something strange when she was putting on her bra. The doctor’s call, the visit, the biopsy, and then the confirmation soon followed, she was diagnosed with sarcoma cancer, a malignant form of the disease. In a short time, her tumor grew from the size of a quarter to the size of a grapefruit, with another tumor started. After a mastectomy and removal of 21 lymphnodes, her doctor came out and informed us, “he got everything.” He must have - after radiation treatments, countless C-scans, ultrasounds, and 24 years later, she is still a survivor.
In a New York Times article from February, 1988, Breast Cancer Continues Gradual Rise, Boffey sites statistics that 1985 brought the highest rate of incidences reported of breast cancer. “Cancer of the breast is currently being diagnosed in about 130,000 women a year, and about 40,000 women are dying from the disease annually. Breast cancer is responsible for more new cases of cancer and more cancer deaths among women than any other type.” Fast forward to 2009, after millions and millions of dollars have been spent on research to find a cure, the odds of a woman developing breast cancer are still 1 in 8 women, or 12 percent. According to the American Cancer Society’s estimates, about 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed, 62,280 new cases of the non-invasive form of breast cancer, carcinoma in situ (CIS) will be diagnosed, and sadly, about 40,170 women will die from breast cancer.
I can’t say we will beat the odds in my lifetime, but the earlier something is detected, the better our odds can be. In October of 1985, at 20 years old, I decided to get through the discomfort of mammograms, and realize the importance of them. I was categorized in the high risk area because my mother found out she had breast cancer before she was 50. Every single year since then, I religiously live through the discomfort. Several years ago, I went for my yearly exam, my wonderful doctor took a lot longer than she normally did coming in to give my results. She finally came into my room, and looked solemnly at me and asked me if I came alone today. Tears started welling up and rolling down my cheeks. A reaction I was surprised with because after 20 years of this ritual, I thought I’d be prepared if I ever heard the words. She was startled at my reaction, came over to give me a hug and just said she wanted to tell me how proud and happy she was in me for my attention to the importance of exams and wanted to say that to whomever I came with that day.
Suprisingly, I have talked with women who have not gone for an exam since they can’t remember when. “It’s uncomfortable.” “I don’t have the time.” “I’m scared.” We all are, but early detection can be the difference in saving my life. I will live through the discomfort, make the time, and face my fears – because there are too many things I have planned to do in my life to let 1 minute of discomfort stop me. I’ll leave you with a quick video called One Voice that was sent to me yesterday, which sums up my dedication to the cause. Think pink! Get checked. (And gentlemen reading this, encourage the women in your life to get checked and check yourselves, men can have breast cancer, too … real men wear pink, so throw a splash of pink on in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.)
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