Don't be afraid of mammograms

[Laurie]

I wanted to post this for a couple of reasons. As women we know someday in our life the mammogram is going to have to occur. We hear stories about how painful they are. We hear the tales that big breasted women don't suffer as much as smaller breasted women. We make jokes about getting our ****s squished. And mostly, in secret, we dread having this procedure done. We are told if there is no family history of breast cancer, you should have a baseline mammogram at age 40.
My family had no history of breast cancer, until now. Many of you know my beautiful sister, Lisa, has Stage IV breast cancer. Lisa has been battling this for 8 years. She is 44. Lisa didn't find her breast cancer by means of mammogram. No she was only 36 when first diagnosed. Therefore she was out of that age 40 baseline mammogram suggestion. She was a very small breasted woman, therefore, it was quite easy for her to discover the lump in her breast--it was very close to the surface. Actually Lisa's lump was closer to her armpit than the middle of her breast, which is where most women think they will find a lump during breast self examination. As I said we had no family history of breast cancer--now we do.
My only niece, Alex, will have a mammogram at age 30 and not 40 because we now have history. Any daughters Alex has will do the same.
I know we hear mammograms are painful but honestly they are not that painful. It is more of a pressure feeling as that is what's happening. The tissue is pressed between two glass plates to scan the breast area and tissue.
What I can tell everyone is that chemotherapy, and surgery to have your breasts removed hurts a lot more than a mammogram. CANCER hurts a lot more than a mammogram.
I know they can be a scary thing, but don't let that deter any of you out there. By not having one done because of the fear of pain is not a good plan. The best medicine to date is still preventative medicine. Being informed is the best fight we have against any and all cancers.
Don't just assume because they say 40 is a baseline age that you don't have to worry about breast cancer and it's testing methods until then. If you are a woman you should be doing monthly self breast examinations. If you don't know how to do it please visit your OB-Gyn and ask for instructions--they have printed pamphlets you can take home with you. Any OB-Gyn will happily show you how to perform the exam. Try not to let the years go by without the "dreaded" mammogram. As i said the pain from CANCER and it's treatments far exceeds the minor discomfort you will have from a mammogram.
Educate yourself! It's the strongest tool we have to fight against CANCER of any kind.
Doctors are our friends--they are a tool in that fight. Regular visits to a OB-Gyn for a woman are a must. Yes some women fear that visit, but again the minor discomfort felt in stirrups can not compare in any way shape or form to the pain and treatment of CANCER. Regular visits to an MD for non women's health issues also a must. CANCER is most curable when found early. There are reasons why CANCER is listed in Stages.
Thank you for allowing me the soap box for a few minutes of your time!

 

[Chinniechantel]

Thank you Laurie. I know I needed to hear that, and it really does put the tiny bit of pain into perspective.

 

[Jenn]

Thanks, Laurie. As I've told you in a pm, my family has a history of breast cancer and I am at the age to go in and get the procedure done. It is a scary thought to have it done. For me, not because of any discomfort, but what the results may be. My grandfather died of colon cancer because he did not go to the doctor and when the cancer was discovered, it was too late. My dad went in for early testing and has had several polyps removed and cancerous growths removed so it has truely been a good move on his part to get early checks. To not go in and see the doctor because we're scared is not a good enough reason to put our body and our lives at risk. Waiting too long could truely be disastrous and much more costly and painful. I need to stop procrastinating and get the procedure done so I have peace of mind. I guess we all need a gentle prodding from time to time to make sure we do what's best for ourselves. Thanks Laurie.

 

[alpayton]

Just so everyone knows, the place in the breast where about 50% of breast cancer occurs is in the upper outer quadrant (under/near the armpit). Some people do not even consider this area breast tissue....make sure to include this area in your self-breast exams.

 

[eroomlorac]

:bravo:

Very well said. I've heard people say they don't want to go for their yearly exams because they are embarrassed to be weighed, they don't like the exam, it hurts, etc. I always answer them back..........."Is it worth dying for?"

Laurie, very well said. You and your family are my heroes and I admire you all so very, very much.