That being said, there needs to be another caring moment us women should do to ensure the well being of the ta-ta's and our life. The self breast exam! I know it's not October when it is breast cancer awareness month but I think there should be a reminder every month.
The reason I am bringing this up because of my recent scare; again! Let me give a brief history. I have had mammograms since I was 17 yrs old. I had my first little pea size cyst at 17 and it was fine as it actually went away. At this time, I learned to do a self breast exam and began to do these when I would remember. Not all the time but here and there. By 27 yrs old, I had my next lump. This one I was reminded by a magazine article about doing our exams, so I did and found it. This was oblong in shape and about a size of a stretched walnut. I went in to the doc immediately and had another mammo. It was a fibroid cyst and we had it removed, no cancer. Now about 10 years later I found another one only because of the last scare, I was really diligent about checking my boob's for anything out of the ordinary. I found another one, this time in the other breast. But by this point I was not freaked out. I went to the doc and did the usual mammo/ultra sound and yep, it is another cyst. The radiologist let me know it was fine. Nothing suspicious, just another cyst. Yay. My doc said I can leave it or take it out. I left it. I can live with it checking it to see if there are any changes (mammo's and feeling it myself).
Recently, I had the scare of my life. Because I am fully aware of my breasts and any changes in them, I randomly felt a lump. I had done a breast exam on myself about 3 weeks before my discovery and nothing unsual than the usual lump. So, this new lump came on fast and it was shaped differently than the others. I made my appointment with the doc quickly and then she scheduled my mammo/ ultrasound appointment. I had a week between the two appointments to dwell on what this could be. At some point I had myself convinced that not matter what, I will still work and I will still do what needs to be done to keep the flow of our family moving if this was the one. All kinds of thoughts ran through my head. "I can and will do this if I have to", was all I kept saying to myself. This lump was new, different and did not react or feel like the others and I am in my 40's which seems to be that magic number in the medical world. So my fear was in full force. The day of the mammo could not come fast enough.
The results of the tests were fantastic! I do not have anything suspicious. What I do have on the other hand; a town of cysts on one side of my boob and then the suburb at the top. Holy crap. There were more cysts that I did not even know about. I never felt them under my boob because of the dense tissue. (I all of a sudden have dense tissue in there too) This is why mammo's are good to have, you may not even feel anything. The shape of the new lump being different was because of other cysts underneath it. I exhaled and could not have been more relieved. I am ok.
I was due this year for my screening anyways and this just expedited it. I am in my 40's with a history of breast cancer in the family. I do get mammo's and I am proactive about checking myself and we all should be feeling the ta-ta's starting in our 20's. If not, by 30's. Listen ladies, having the doc check them only when you go in for the fancy stir up check up, is not enough. If you know how they feel and look all the time, then you will know when something is wrong. If you do find something, PLEASE don't be afraid to go in and have it checked. If anything, it may be nothing at all or cysts like I have. Can mine change into breast cancer; I don't know. They may or may not but because I am getting mammo's every year, I will know. I can have these cysts drained if I want or leave them. If they start to bug me and are uncomfortable or grow for that matter, I can have them drained. As for right now, I am leaving them. I want to let other women who don't know what a lump feels like to be able to feel mine so they know. It will at least give them an idea of what to feel for. Since I have many sizes in there, these cysts are going to be educational for my friends out there. :)
Now I keep talking about mammo and ultrasound. We all know the typical mammo and for anyone who has not had one yet; they do not hurt! Now if you go before that monthly visitor and the girls are tender, then yes there may be discomfort but anything touching them during the tenderness time will be uncomfortable. Just try to not go during that time unless necessary. The ultrasound is used when something is seen in the mammo. This gives the radiologist a chance to get a better look at what is coming up suspicious in the mammo or they do ultrasounds because of breast size, density, or any other reason that a mammo can't be done or it is not sufficient enough for a reading for the radiologist. Either way, they need to be done.
Graphic done by: |
http://www.infographicsshowcase.com/myths-and-facts-about-breast-cancer-infographic/ |
We all know someone who is fighting, in remission or has lost the battle to breast cancer. If you don't, you know someone who does know someone or you have heard someones story. It's nothing to sweep under the carpet. Just keep feeling up your ta-ta's ladies, being proactive and early detection is your best defense!!
(Just to let you all know what my New Years resolution is: from here on out in January, I will go get my mammo done. Now that's a resolution I won't break.)
Very well said,K! Send that 2 Kelly...she and Linda have had a discussion about the ta-ta's. anyway...so glad u jumped right on it:)
ReplyDeleteVery well said,K! Send that 2 Kelly...she and Linda have had a discussion about the ta-ta's. anyway...so glad u jumped right on it:)
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