I've blogged a fair amount about my tits.
But, today, I'm shifting the focus from tits to breast health.
"Why should I care about breast health?" you might be asking if you are a guy.
"I'm 24. Breast health isn't really an issue at my age," you might be saying.
Ladies, it's never too early to be thinking about breast health. And, guys, if you love boobs, the women who have them or both, you should care about these issues, too!
Why do I care?
1. I know far too many friends who have lost loved ones to breast cancer;
2. My Mom died of cancer of unknown primary origin so she might have had breast cancer; and
3. Since 2000, I've had three benign breast lumps removed and three breast biopsies.
***
I had written the above in the hopes that I would submit it for Femme Writes in May. I wasn't sure what direction I wanted the post to go and so I just saved it as a draft. I now realize that there was a reason for that.
In early May, I found a lump in my right breast. I was due for my annual mammogram anyway so I scheduled that. (Most women do not require yearly mammograms before the age of 40, but given my health history and my Mom's, I started getting screened at 35.)
Earlier this month, I went for my mammogram. The breast radiologist at Sibley Hospital reviewed my films and performed an ultrasound. She then recommended taking small samples of the lump that I found and abnormal calcifications that the mammogram showed via biopsy. I don't particularly like biopsies — who does, right? — but I knew what to expect and scheduled them for the last Friday.
On Tuesday, I was sitting in the chair at the hair salon when my cell phone rang. I looked at the number and recognized it as Sibley's main line. I answered the phone and the radiologist informed me that the lump I had found was a fibroid (aka nothing to worry about). But, the calcifications showed Ductal Carcinoma In Situ.
Early Stage Breast Cancer.
I sat in the back room of the hair salon as tears filled my eyes. I asked the doctor to repeat it since she didn't say the ‘c' word the first time. It was surreal, and I knew that for the rest of my life, I would always remember that moment. After I hung up with her, I called my best friends and my man to inform them. I also rescheduled my plans for the evening.
A few hours later, I realized that there was no need to change my plans. I deal with health stuff every day, and breast cancer is just one blip on my radar. So, I put on some makeup, my favorite Burberry mini, high black open-toe heels and a smile, and I went out to the bar.
When my man and I came home at the end of the evening, we talked about the next steps. I shed some more tears. And, then it was business time. (It's me. Did you really expect anything less?)
I also began to count my blessings. I'm thankful that my health conditions helped get this diagnosed early. If you have to have breast cancer, this is the best kind to have. I WILL survive this. (If I hadn't had my first mammogram until the age of 40, that might not have been the case.) I'm fortunate that I have great medical insurance, doctors and friends. And, I'm saying prayers for the many women out there with far more severe cases and far less options and resources.
If you're reading this and wondering what you can do to help me, it's easy! Help yourself and help others!
* Conduct breast self-exams.
* Have a health care provider regularly conduct a clinical breast exam.
* Get annual mammograms.
* For men and women, make sure your loved ones are doing all of this!
* Donate toward finding a cure here! I chose to set up a fundraising page through The Breast Cancer Research Foundation because BCRF is the ONLY breast cancer organization that received an A+ rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy. You can take comfort in the fact that any donation will be used to make a difference!
There's NO need for a pity party here. And, when I'm cancer free, I will be holding a titty party! (It's like a blog party, but so much better!) I have a lot to celebrate. xoxo