Do It Now
The first time I was diagnosed with breast cancer, it was as a result of a regular exam by my gynecologist. I had been her patient for years, and when she examined my breasts in January, 2001, she could tell that something was different. She looked back at all of her previous exam notes to be sure, but her Spidey sense was right on—she was feeling something she hadn't felt before. It was a very subtle change—not even a lump, just a thickening of the breast tissue—but one that she was able to pick up on because of her expertise and her familiarity with my body.
A mammogram, and then a sonogram and a biopsy, confirmed that something was amiss. But I wouldn't have had any of the diagnostic tests if she hadn't detected a change. And when I asked her later, after the diagnosis, if she had been worried during the exam, she said she hadn't been. Just being overly cautious, she said.
I owe my life to her—to her clinical skill, to her judgment, to her thoroughness in sending me for a mammogram at age 34.
This time around, I'm the one who detected the change. I had just done a self-exam on my "good" breast, and everything felt fine. Then I lathered up—I was in the shower—and almost immediately felt something on the opposite side, near my armpit. I figured it was scar tissue, but I knew enough to have it checked out immediately. I went to see MOSWO the next morning. He examined me and then sent me down the hall for a sonogram, which led to another biopsy, which led, I guess, to this blog.
This is all a long way of saying that regular clinical exams, routine mammograms, and breast self-exams are indispensable in the early detection of breast cancer. There is no substitute for any of them—to be truly vigilant, you need all three.
Breast cancer sucks. Having it sucks. Having it twice really sucks. But if you're going to have breast cancer, you want to have it at the earliest stage possible, when it can be treated most effectively and least invasively. And that means patrolling your body for it, month in and month out, year in and year out.
If you're not already doing this, please start now. If you're not the proud owner of a pair of breasts but have a vested interest in the health of someone who is, please ask her to do the same:
A mammogram, and then a sonogram and a biopsy, confirmed that something was amiss. But I wouldn't have had any of the diagnostic tests if she hadn't detected a change. And when I asked her later, after the diagnosis, if she had been worried during the exam, she said she hadn't been. Just being overly cautious, she said.
I owe my life to her—to her clinical skill, to her judgment, to her thoroughness in sending me for a mammogram at age 34.
This time around, I'm the one who detected the change. I had just done a self-exam on my "good" breast, and everything felt fine. Then I lathered up—I was in the shower—and almost immediately felt something on the opposite side, near my armpit. I figured it was scar tissue, but I knew enough to have it checked out immediately. I went to see MOSWO the next morning. He examined me and then sent me down the hall for a sonogram, which led to another biopsy, which led, I guess, to this blog.
This is all a long way of saying that regular clinical exams, routine mammograms, and breast self-exams are indispensable in the early detection of breast cancer. There is no substitute for any of them—to be truly vigilant, you need all three.
Breast cancer sucks. Having it sucks. Having it twice really sucks. But if you're going to have breast cancer, you want to have it at the earliest stage possible, when it can be treated most effectively and least invasively. And that means patrolling your body for it, month in and month out, year in and year out.
If you're not already doing this, please start now. If you're not the proud owner of a pair of breasts but have a vested interest in the health of someone who is, please ask her to do the same:
- Learn how to do a breast self-exam, and then do one every month.
- Find a great doctor and have a clinical exam every year.
- Go for routine mammograms as early and as often as your doctor recommends.
posted by Jody Rosen Knower at 7:21 PM
3 Comments:
Hear it here! Well said, my lovely love. Mom
Way to go, Jody!! As a fellow breast cancer survivor, one who no longer owns breasts, I heartily endorse your plea for Breast Cancer Action!!!
Cousin Janie
Thanks for that excellent web link-- that's the most comprehensive explanation I've ever seen-- better than any from several doctors over the course of 20 years.
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