August 2006 I went for my annual mammogram. Next day, my doctor's nurse called. a problem with my mammogram. I wasn't scared or shocked, sometimes a mammogram isn't clear. I've had to repeat before. a 2nd mammogram. it too "didn't look right". A 3rd mammogram. problem, a cyst in my left breast. Next step, ultrasound my left breast, cyst confirmed. More mammograms, more ultrasounds, cyst fluid checked. All tests and confirmation took about a month. doctor's appointment set up for a consultation. Up to this point I had told only one friend about the cyst. None of my family knew. I told them the Monday after my 50th birthday - September 2 - surprise party. My husband and I went to the appointment in mid September. The doctor told us he wasn't sure if the cyst was cancerous. We could wait, I could come back in six months or I could have it removed, my choice. My husband and I agreed, no way are we waiting, it doesn't belong in my breast, it's coming out. How soon can you set up the surgery doctor? The doctor seemed pleased that I wanted to get the cyst out, no waiting for me. Surgery on October 3, cyst removed, cyst showed precancerous cells. What if I had waited six months? I'll never know what might have happened. I do know what has happened, no cancer, no bad mammograms for the last 3 years. Waiting was not an option for me, for some people, maybe? Never take a chance with your life, even if you are told you can wait six months to be reexamined. You might not have that long to wait. I praise God that I did not wait, watch, and wonder!

Elaine
Grand Bay, AL