I’m slipping in under the wire with this reminder. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and though it may be nearly over, there’s never a bad time to schedule a mammogram, perform a self-exam, or talk with your healthcare provider about breast cancer screening.
I know two women who recently underwent treatment for breast cancer. What strikes me most is that neither one spent much time asking, “Why me?” They did what needed to be done. They showed up for appointments, underwent treatment, and kept moving forward.
One of them was so matter-of-fact about the entire experience that it almost seemed routine. Then, during an appointment, a nurse referred to her as a breast cancer survivor.
She told me that was the moment it all hit her. Not a patient. Not someone going through treatment. A breast cancer survivor.
Neither one of these women seeks attention or sympathy. In fact, both would probably be bashful that I’m writing about them at all. But both are willing to share one important message: early detection matters.
They credit early detection with helping them achieve successful outcomes. Catching it early meant more treatment options and more reasons for optimism. Most importantly, it gave them the chance to move forward.
Personally, I go to Aspirus Lake View for my mammograms, where I’ve always felt I was being cared for thoroughly while also being treated with kindness, respect, and compassion.
I’ll admit, before my first mammogram, I expected it to hurt. It didn’t. Was it the most comfortable experience? No. Was it how I would have chosen to spend my morning? Actually, yes.
Maybe that sounds strange, but I’d much rather spend part of a morning getting screened than spend months wondering if I should have made the appointment sooner.
The reality is that breast cancer isn’t something that happens only to other people. Most of us know someone who has faced it. In my case, it’s two women I care about deeply. Their experiences are a reminder that a screening appointment can feel ordinary right up until the day you’re grateful you made it.
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer found before it has spread beyond the breast has a five-year relative survival rate of more than 99 percent, and regular screening mammograms remain one of the best tools for detecting it early.
About one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime, which means most of us know someone whose life has been touched by the disease. More than 4 million breast cancer survivors are living in the United States today.
October is coming to an end, but awareness isn’t limited to a single month on the calendar. If you’re due for a mammogram, make the appointment. If you’ve been putting it off, make the call. And remind the women in your life to do the same.
