If you don’t know already, October is breast cancer awareness month. This, for me, is now personal. It’s been exactly one year since I was diagnosed and I’m so thankful my most recent scans were all clear. I go back again in 6 months for a follow up MRI and will continue this cycle for the next 5 years. I am so fortunate it was found so early.
Recently, new recommendations have come out advising women they can wait until age 50 for their first mammogram if they have no family history. NO! Please do NOT listen to this!! I was only 46 when mine was found and had I waited any longer, my life would be drastically different! Breast cancer awareness month is a great time to remind yourself and your friends to get their mammograms.
My breast cancer was ONLY found on a mammogram. I did NOT have any lump, discomfort, or any symptoms whatsoever. Without that mammogram, I still might not even know that it was growing inside of me. I had no immediate history of breast cancer and just months before my diagnosis, I actually had the genetic testing done to see if I carried the genes for breast cancer. That test came back NEGATIVE. I almost didn’t schedule my mammogram because I thought “hey, I have no risk….I’m good”. Wrong. The genetic testing is just a guide, it does not mean you won’t actually develop cancer.
So please, do NOT delay. Schedule it today and get it done. If you do not have insurance, there are many places that will do it for free. Please share this post with someone you know and help spread awareness for breast cancer awareness month. It’s more than just wearing pink, it’s taking action too!