Oh god ....not a breast cancer tumor.Well, I managed to get poison ivy all over me at the beach somehow and it was driving me crazy. I made a quick visit with my doctor to treat it, whereupon he starting bugging me about how long it had been since I'd had my last breast examination. I couldn't believe it, why me? Of all people, I should've known better. The early symptoms of breast cancer were there if I'd only done a self-exam, or had a check-up. Why didn't I get around to it sooner? I definitely knew I should, I knew enough to do a simple breast self-examination, my mom had taught me that much. I knew to look for a hard lump in my breast or a depression in the nipple, or any change in size or shape, and yes - I knew the importance of early breast cancer detection. I knew all of these things because my mom had breast cancer years before.She was older when she had her mammogram and her ultimate breast cancer diagnosis. But because they had found it late, it had become an invasive ductal carcinoma, one more reason I should have known enough to get yearly mammograms. After her breast cancer diagnosis I gave myself a thorough self-exam, and I did get a mamogram, but as foolish as this may sound, I thought I had plenty of time to worry about it later, and I didn't follow up with a yearly breast examination, after all, I was only 39, she had been 76.
My mother and I were both very fortunate, we survived, and although I've had to endure many breast cancer treatments, including radiation, breast cancer has not defined my life. My oncologist and the nurses told me from the start and I know now that it's true, your outlook is very important with breast cancer and its treatment, and a positive one can go a long way towards beating it. In fact, later, with my doctors insight, I underwent reconstructive breast surgery. I tried to think of it - not so much as losing something - but as an opportunity. I had always been rather small (up top), and I saw this as my chance for enhancement. My husband, not usually too involved with my female health issues, was not surprisingly -in complete agreement with me on this one! I had been on tamoxafin for five years and I've been cancer free for seven and plan on doing my best to keep it that way. If I've learned anything from all of this, it's that life is way too short. I have three sisters and you can be very sure, they have all been made very aware of the importance of early breast cancer detection from this girl. I've tried to make sure they don't make the same mistake that I did, they may not be as lucky as I was. I also have a little brother(54 years young, but still my "little" brother) He is now fully aware of the male breast cancer symptoms. Breast cancer tumors in men?, he said, he didn't believe me. Like many men he was not aware of the possibility, but he is now, and since he once had a prostate issue, he listened. Although it is rare, the symptoms are very similar. I hope that in telling my story, a lot of you procrastinators (like me) out there will wake up and make that appointment NOW - please, don't put it off another second! Do you know your Bmi? -It may help reduce your Breast Cancer Risk. Breast Cancer Tumor -Awareness QuizAnswer the following questions True or False. Give yourself 1 point for each correct answer. 1. The most common cancer for both men and women is breast cancer. -Answer: False The most common cancer is basal cell(skin) cancer.(both men and women) 2. The most common cancer among women in the United States, surprisingly is not cancer of the breast.(excluding skin cancer) -Answer: False Breast Cancer in women is by far the most common with over 180,000 cases in 2007 alone. 3. Breast cancer in men is also the most prevalent form of cancer in the U.S. (excl. skin cancer) -Answer: False For men, cancer of the prostate is the most common, although there are over 1600 cases of breast cancer in men every year. 4. The leading cause of death in women is directly related to breast cancer tumors. -Answer: False The leading cause of death in women is heart disease. The leading cancer death is lung cancer, breast cancer is number 2. Although it is number 2, 20% of all cancer deaths are from breast cancer. It is estimated that over 40,000 women will diethis year from these breast diseases. 5. Caucasian women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than any other race, or ethnicity in the United States. -Answer: True African-American women are more likely to die from breast cancer than are women of any other race, or ethnicity in the U.S.However, Caucasian women are more likely to be diagnosed with a breast cancer tumor. 6. It is estimated that in the United States alone, 7 billion dollars a year was spent on research for breast cancer tumors. -Answer: False Seven billion dollars a year is spent, but on breast cancer treatments, not research. 7. Several factors have been identified that may affect a womans risk of developing a breast cancer tumor. -Answer: True Breast cancer risk factors include: Consumption of alcohol, The use of oral contraceptives, Your families history of breast cancer, and stress. Two other risk factors are being overweight after menopause and the lack of exercise.
-Answer: True The Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act was indeed passed in 1990. 9. Since 1990, Breast Cancer deaths have been steadily increasing. -Answer: False Breast cancer deaths have been decreasing, in Fact, between 2000 and 2004 the rate of breast cancer has dropped by 10%. 10. The most effective and readily available method of screening for the early symptoms of breast cancer, and breast cancer tumors -Answer: True It is suggested by the United States Preventative Task Force, that women 40 years and older have a breast exam and a mamogram every 1 or 2 years. 11. Studies have shown that Breast Cancer Awareness, as well as early detection of breast cancer, and a self-exam can save many lives. -Answer:True Women 40 and older that have regular screenings, can reduce mortality by 20-25% during a 10 year period, so what are you waiting for? -Well, How did you score? 0-3 points - You need some serious help in your awareness! 4-6 points - You're getting there. 5 points - Getting better, share your knowledge. 7 points and over - You've Passed the Breast Cancer Tumor Awareness Quiz in flying colors! This can be very important to your future. -Read this story of another breast cancer survivor, and her holistic self-healing approach to surviving breast cancer. -There's a real lack of awareness, especially in younger women, where it's the most dangerous. Please help increase awareness and join a support group if you can. -Support others and be supported. There are many ways to help in the fight against breast cancer. The breast cancer three day is one sure way. Through fund raising, education and training -the fight can be won by many, and the friends made along the way ....can make any cure possible.
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