I had been afraid of having a mammogram because so many of my Aunts had breast cancer. I know that doesn't make sense, but fear is often not based on reason. Finally, my husband noticed a large lump in my left breast. I couldn't go into further denial and pretend it wasn't there. We went to my internal medicine doctor who immediately ordered a mammogram and an ultrasound. I had those done the next day. The next afternoon I had I needle biopsy, on the mass, and 8 punch biopsies. Thankfully, the 8 punch biopsies came back as benign. However, the needle biopsy revealed that I had a compound cyst. Underneath the cyst, they found "abnormal" cells. I had a lumpectomy to remove the cyst and the suspicious area and 33 radiation treatments. I was lucky. I had non-invasive ductal carcinoma in situ. Last week I went for my first mammogram after completing radiation (it had been 6 months). After both a mammogram and an ultra sound, I was relieved to hear that I was cancer free. I was scared to have my first mammogram, but I am so thankful that I had it and was able to catch my cancer very early. Even though I am terrified of mammograms, I will faithfully have them for the rest of my life.

Anonymous
Phoenix, AZ