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never to young to be told you have cancer.

I was told last october that i had stage three breast cancer,very big shock for me as no family history and im a young mum of two little boys and still only 29 years old.Im grateful that the doctor i went to see sent me straight to the hospital for a check it was the most horrible two weeks in my life waiting to find out if i had cancer or not,i had a lot of people saying your to young its just a lump.just goes to show you are never to young to get breast cancer,its been a hard few months and still is hard at the moment,im going through six lots of chemo just had my first got my second one next week and had the week from hell this week as my hair has just started to fall out im not coping with it very well.any body else that has had a similar experience it would be nice to hear from you.

Anonymous
thetford, United Kingdom

BIG C...Cancer? NOPE!!!!!!

Big C? CAnCER maybe? Somehow we feel scared because of pain or suffering, but today, BIG C already means, BIG CHRIST!!!CHRIST who dwells in usâ¦whose stripes, we're healed!! BiG C doesn't scare us anymore!

Im Cor, 30 year-old physician, diagnosed with Invasive DUctal Carcioma Stage 4. Tumor cells spread to the lungs, bone and liver. Praise GOD!

March 2009, I felt a lump on my right breast 2 cm. Thinking its benign, since I didnt have any risk factor nor any family history of carcinoma. Until April, I decided to have breast ultrasound resulting to a 2.2 x 1.7cm with indeterminate boarders. It didnt bother me.

I went to US for 6 months. There, God taught me to be more cheerful, having been surrounded by people who were cheerful, always telling me to smile. Little did I know that I'd need a cheerful heart when I get back home for the BIG blessing from GOD!

I had repeat ultrasound resulted to 4.4x 2.98cm with irregular boarders. Cone needle biopsy was immediately done, IDC Stage2. But God already comforted me prior to knwoing the result. He gave me Isaiah 14:3. God gave me unending JOY Just like HIS love that never ends nor fails.

My first chemo went really well! I never had nausea, vomiting, nor any metallic taste, weakness nor any tiresome periods during and after chemo! I was in high spirit! I even gained weight!!! God continuously gives me supernatural strength daily!

Medical tests says, ADVANCED STAGE of disease, but God says, Advanced stage of FAITH!! That's what matters! It doesn't matter what my body says, I wont be intimidated by Cancer but it's intimidated by my faith in JESUS name!!!ALL GLORY to HIM!

rovicor
Dasmarinas, Cavite, Philippines

My mammogram saved my life

I had my first mammogram at the age of 48. I don't know why I waited so long...I guess it was one of those things that I kept putting off. After I had the mammogram I remember thinking "that wasn't so bad...why did I wait so long"? Imagine my surprise when I received a call that I needed to come back for more testing. After another mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy I was diagnosed with Stage II cancer. I had a mastectomy which revealed three tumors. I had always done self exams and never felt the lumps. I had even had a physical three months before and my doctor didn't find any lumps. The cancer was also in one of my lymph nodes and the surgeon didn't get a clean margin. I had eight rounds of chemotherapy, six weeks of radiation and am now taking Tamoxifen. My oncologist tells me I have an excellent chance of survival. I feel very fortunate. After the new mammogram recommendations came out in November, my surgeon's office called and asked if I would speak at a press conference with my surgeon about the importance of women under the age of 50 getting mammograms. I was honored to do so. I now remind all my friends to schedule their yearly mammograms.

Nancy White
Lewisburg, PA

Self Exams And Mammograms - Go Hand in Hand

In late August, 2008, while conducting my monthly self-breast exam, I noticed a hard, thickening in my lower left breast. I scheduled an appointment with my gynecologist, who after his clinical exam referred me for a mammogram, sonogram and breast biopsy that same afternoon. I was formally diagnosed on September 11, 2008, with Stage III inflammatory breast cancer. This is a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer.

I have now completed chemotherapy, radiation, herceptin treatments, and several surgical procedures. And, after a few more medical procedures, my treatment will be complete. It started with a self breast exam. I cannot stress enough the importance of doing this. If you feel anything that seems odd, i.e. lump, hardening, change in the appearance of your breast; see your doctor immediately for a mammogram. Do NOT wait for your next annual mammogram. It might be too late!

A quote that I am fond of says “Don’t pray for things, pray for wisdom and courage”. What sound advice that is. Having regular self checks and annual mammograms is the wise choice. Make a wise choice; I did. And now I am able to live, laugh and love!

Having a mammogram saved my life. Doing so could save your life, too.

Bonnie
Greenville, TX

Second time around

In March 2007 I was on my computer, unconciously I touched my right breast and felt a lump. I was having mixed emotions as I had already went through endometrial cancer from december 2002 and eventually having a hysterectomy in June 2007. I was scheduled to see my oncologist to make sure things were going ok with the endometrial cancer the following week, I waited until then and seen him, and he said its probably nothing.. dont worry about it.
Well, I tried that and was starting to panic.. I called my Physician and made an apppointment. I went in and he ordered an ultrasound. My ultrasound was scheduled for 3 weeks later. and he said he was concerned and wanted further testing, I got scared then! he ordered a biopsy for a month later, longest month of my life. The day came and I was tested and 5 days later.
While on vacation, I was called and was told, I had breast cancer and was going to have my breast removed and undergo chemotherapy and radiation.
I went and seen a team of doctors at Karmanos Cancer Center in Michigan,
I didnt have to get my breast removed, I did 6 rounds of chemo and 35 days of radiation and currently taking tamoxifen. I finished treatments in May 2008, I have had a couple scares with threats but im fine now and I thank Karmanos and their staff.

Charlotte
Detroit, MI

2nd Time Around

After finding a lump in my left breast in 1996 (by doing a self examination) I went to the doctor and they told me there was nothing to worry about, even the mammogram did not pick it up. Not being satisfied with that, I went to my surgeon....long story short, it was breast cancer requiring a mastectomy. I did chemotherapy and was fine for 13 years. After a routine mammogram last year, they found another lump on the right side. It too was also cancer. Although this time it was not as far along, I am currently half way done with my radiation. And their telling me that this time, chemotherapy is not required (yeah). Breast cancer does not run in my family and I was only 34 the first time I was diagnosed. I can not say it enough, do your self examinations and get your mammograms ladies!!!!!!

Theresia
Spring, TX

Do not ignore your mammograms

In 1998 my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a large lump on her breast for some time before she actually went to the doctor. She was afraid of the diagnosis. She had a mastectomy and chemo. In 2003 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Unlike my sister, I kept up on my mammograms. The spot where the cancer was, had been watched by the technologists for years. Suddenly it changed and they suspected cancer. I had a test which confirmed that it was cancer. Because I had kept up on my mamograms, the spot was so small that the biopsy got it all. But I also had a centinel lumpectomy, The surgeon went to the spot where the cancer was and took out more tissue and then four of my lymph nodes. I had six weeks of radiation and today I am cancer free. My sister passed away in 2005. Her cancer came back and took her life. Early dectection is the key.

Mary
West Chicago, IL

Self breast exams??? Why do them???

As of January 2010,my fifth year of surviving stage l, node negative breast cancer has begun. I have had a mastectomy, reconstructive surgery, chemotherapy and now taking taking hormonal therapy.
It all started with a self breast exam, not done diligantly, when I found a small lump in my right breast. After about two weeks I checked again and sure enough it was still there. I called the doctor she reviewed my mamogram report that I just had and ordered an ultrasound which was also read as normal. My doctor was uncomfortable with the results and sent me to a breast surgeon. My surgeon believes that the mammograms did show areas that should have been checked. She did a biopsy and much to my surprise, I had two areas that were cancerous.
What I would like everyone to get from my story is that self breast exams are important to do along with mammograms and other diagnostic tools. If not for myself and my agressive doctor, my cancer would have continued to grow. So ladies and gents DO THOSE SELF BREAST EXAMS!!!!!

karen balla
rossford, OH

Get your mammies and do self-examies!

Even with NO family history, my first-cousin on dad's side was diagnosed in 2004 at 51, and died a year later. Then in July 2006, at age 50, my routine mamm found the lump that began my journey. After lumpectomy, re-excision and finally a mastectomy, the invasive cancer was finally gone! Then chemo, and now I'm halfway through the five years of AIs ... I feel 80-ish with all the s/e's, but am thankful for every day! I now spread the word every chance I get -- I'm a walking commercial for mamms and self-exams!
I have been doing Relay for Life for 10 years, and have been team captain for Komen walks for four years. My best friend and co-worker for 20 years was dx'd two years after me, and together we mentor and help others through this journey. Our sisterhood is an amazing group. Stay strong, women!!

Dottie Watson
Maple Valley, WA

Early detection saves lives.

My cancer was detected in 1992, It was my 3rd mammogram, I chose a mastectomy because I figure if it ain't there it can't get cancer again.
I'm glad I did because from what I've read, they have adopted a wait and see policy now and won't do mastectomy for cancer in situ. I watched three women in my town die after years of chemo and radiation. They chose lumpectomy. Since then I have had two biopsies which were "negative". I feel fortunate to be a survivor but the thought of finding more cancer never leaves your mind. God bless all cancer survivors.

Anonymous
Owosso,, MI