I didn't understand. The sweet-faced radiologist had spoken these words in a simple tone, the same tone a pharmacist might use to suggest you take a seat while your prescription were filled. But this was no pharmacy, it was a medical clinic and the mammogram was supposed to be routine. A swell of nausea percolated in my belly, then eased. Was she saying what I thought she was saying?
"What do you mean," I asked, "by 'something suspicious'?"
"Something suspicious" was exactly as I feared. A lump had been found deep in my right breast. Because this lump was small and because a biopsy would have been invasive, the doctors recommended we wait, test frequently, and see if anything changed.
This is a surefire way to drive a woman nuts. In the three years that have passed since that time, I've had very regular mammograms and have also done a little reading on the topic. Enough to know that women going on long walks and men wearing pink will not cure breast cancer, but that research and early detection is essential.
The most important thing I'd like to share is that not every lump is necessarily cancerous. Fibrous masses, cysts and calcium deposits are common in a breast, and these lumps look and feel just like a cancerous lump would. This is one reason why women need to do self-exams. The better you know your body, the more savvy you will be when you discuss any changes with your doctor.
Early detection really is the key - for any form of cancer. If a cancerous lump is full encapsulated (think of an egg in its shell), it can safely be removed with some follow-up treatments and the survivor can move on to her/his happy normal life. If the cancer has begun to spread, the survival rate is much lower. In the case of breast cancer, the body's own hormones are a potential culprit, as they circulate through the body, promoting the spread to various other reproductive organs. Some medications have been developed to prevent this from occurring, but they need to be used proactively. Early detection saves your money, your time, your ability to hold a job, and your ability to spend time with your family and friends. Early detection saves your life as well as your quality of life.
Men, you are much less likely to have breast cancer, but you are not completely immune. If you find a lump in your chest or armpit area, please see a doctor. This is just as serious an illness in men as it is in women, and early detection is just as necessary.
I've heard it said that mammograms are painful, but I'm going to dispute this. Because my situation was being monitored with frequent mammograms, I've had several more than has the average 41-year-old woman. Most of mine have been no more painful than any other X-ray. The one exception to this was the time I decided to use a different clinic, a small hospital located very close to my job. The equipment was malfunctioning and the apologetic technician was trying very, very hard to get a clear picture. This mammogram left me extensively bruised and prompted me to transfer my services back to the clinic I'd used previously. My suggestion is that if X-ray equipment is having issues, request to either reschedule or to go to a different clinic.
The most important thing is that sometimes the ending is happy. Over the three years I've spent having frequent mammograms, the lump maintained its size for about a year. Then it started to shrink. But my last test came back normal, so now I'm getting tested only once a year, just like everybody else my age.
Just like you - right?
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