When I was 10, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and by the time I was 15, she had died. The year was 1977. I often wondered why this tragedy had to happen, but it led me to my first mammogram at 18. My doctors were vigilant, I was vigilant. Then in 2003, my niece discovered a lump in the shower. It was Stage II, Grade III breast cancer, due to her markers and staging, she opted to have a bilateral mastectomy and genetic counseling. No BCRAI or II, but perhaps another gene yet to be assayed. Then, in 2007, my diagnosis of DCIS, 2 lumps in 1 breast, calcifications in the other. I opted for a bilateral mastectomy - no chemo or radiation. I sought the opinions of my nieces docs at Sloan Kettering and opted for surgery at Johns Hopkins - due to the pathology team. Pathology is everything and I wanted the best. Now I know why tragedy struck, because without those early mammograms for comparison, doctors couldn't have caught the minute changes happening in my breast. Diligence saved my life, saved my nieces life - early detection is now my motto! So go get those tatas checked ladies, and get them checked often! Thank you mom for giving me life twice, but I still miss you. Hopefully, our genes will help find a cure!

Jacki Weise
Takoma Park, MD