I am the daughter of a woman who died of breast cancer, so I am in an at risk category. And yet, I have certainly missed a year and skipped my mamo. How about you? It's scary, isn't it? The first time I went was when I was 36, the year Mom died (2000),and I had to justify why I was there to just about every nurse, because insurance doesn't cover you until you are 40, unless you are in a risk category. I will never forget sitting in the private waiting room, braless in a hospital gown, waiting my turn and feeling like my mother was holding my hand.

So far, so good, for me. At the Danskin this summer, which was a breastcancer fundraiser, I met a woman in an elevator at my hotel. She said the first time she did the race, she was not a survivor, and this time she was. She had just completed her first chemo, and was doing the triathlon in the survivor category - a group that had their own colored caps and their own official race start ahead of everyone else. Those women were glowing that day, and beat the spandex pants off of most people in the race as well!

I share this with you because it is breast cancer awareness month, which is the perfect opportunity to make your appointment and get to it, girls. Breast cancer is not a death sentance when it is caught early. My mom's had already spread to her brain by the time she saw a doctor. She lived 5 more months. Don't let this be your story. You are too precious to the world.

Love,
Lynne

quote:

Originally posted by mountaingirl:
It's so mainstream in the media, that everyone acts like everyone gets yearly mammograms, but there are pockets of society and generations who are not in the habit.

That's so true. Last season on Starting Over (daytime reality TV show), one of the housemates was a breast cancer survivor in her 30s. They had a lady come in to talk to the housemates about monthly breast exams and mammograms. When she asked how many of the women did self breast exams, not one raised their hand. She was horrified! Granted, a number of the women in the house were in their 20s but, just because you may not be having a memmo that early doesn't mean you shouldn't be doing a self breast exam. Never hurts to be cautious!! There HAVE been women in their 20s with breast cancer.

quote:

Originally posted by mountaingirl:
That's awesome, Brie. Are you up for it? Asking friends what happens and all that? We'd be happy to fill you in.

Lynne

Thanks Lynne. I'm ready! My sil just had her first so I got the details : )

Click on:

American Cancer Society: "Can Breast Cancer Be Found Early?"

My mother's mother died of breast cancer, because her "doctor" was a rural chiropractor.

That's awesome, Brie. Are you up for it? Asking friends what happens and all that? We'd be happy to fill you in.

I thought I'd also remind you (on my little soapbox today...) to get your moms, sisters and daughters into the action too. Sometimes just a word from a loved one can get a woman through the door who otherwise wouldn't go. It's so mainstream in the media, that everyone acts like everyone gets yearly mammograms, but there are pockets of society and generations who are not in the habit. Just talking about it this month to people in your life would be a good thing. I read this yesterday:
"If you don't know what you're here to do, then just do something good. I'm convinced that good done anywhere is good done everywhere." - Maya Angelou

Lynne

I'm getting my first one this year at age 35 and my doctor's recommendation.

I had mine last month. I have one annually and have since I was 35. I have never had a problem with insurance covering it. Then again, it was 18 years ago when I was 35 so health insurance policies may well have changed since then!

Lynne, our insurance covers mammos starting at 35 now....I had my first one at 36 (I also am in a high risk category but had to wait for 1 year after I had finished breastfeeding). The radiologist told me I don't have to come back until I'm 40, but dh wants me to go and have another one done this year....his stepmom is being treated for breast cancer right now. I concur, I want to have it done also.

Thanks Lynne!! I had mine a couple of weeks ago. I first got one the year my aunt died from breast cancer, 5 years ago. They did find a lump and I had it removed, thank God I did not have cancer. I do go every year!