October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a month that is personal for me. I am almost four years post chemo and blessed to show no sign of recurrence. I can’t say I’m “cancer-free” until the five year mark, but if breast cancer does return, it usually returns within the first one to two years after chemo is complete. My oncologist says she is confident that mine will not return. I am one of the lucky ones.
Did you know that one out of eight women will be diagnosed breast cancer? That is why it is imperative for women to have their yearly mammograms. It is especially important if a woman has a history of breast cancer that runs in her family. If you find a lump, have it checked immediately. I had a normal mammo in March of 2018, found a lump in August of 2018, and was diagnosed with breast cancer in September of 2018. Mine was an aggressive cancer (90% aggressive rate) and had I not gone to my doctor when I found the lump, I probably wouldn’t be here. The tumor doubled in size from the time of my diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound until I started my first chemo session at the beginning of October. It almost reached my lymph nodes.
Please, please, please, get your mammograms! Be your own advocate.
Cancer touched my boob so I kicked its ass!
