I felt a tiny pea-sized lump on my breast and being grand-daughter of a breast cancer survivor sort of guessed what was there. I got through the works--lumpectomy, chemo, radiation, and was so happy when the check-ups spaced in time and my hair grew back thick and curly!
That was 9 years ago, July 2001. I was 37 then, I'm cured of it.
This year, I was supposed to have had my mammogram in Feb. They had to re-schedule me and I got it in July instead. And there it was, a totally independent tiny new lump, on the other breast. I hadn't even felt it yet. I got another lumpectomy, so now my breasts match ;) Right now I'm going through chemo, radiation will follow... and YES, I will be cured of this one too, thanks to the wonderfull support of all my family and friends.
And I will get my curly locks again :))))
Early detection? Always! Don't ever skip a check-up... Isn't it worth seeing our children grow?!
Oeiras, Portugal