October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. My Grandmother was a breast cancer survivor. She found the lump early during the 1980s when she was in her 60s. She had her breast removed and that was that, and it was rarely mentioned. After I knew she was ok, breast cancer didn’t concern me again. I always considered it an “old” person’s disease. (What I consider “old” keeps changing, but that’s another subject.) The facts are that more cases of breast cancer occur in women over the age of 40, than in women under the age of 40. However, the women under the age of 40 who do have breast cancer, are more likely to have the aggressive form.
Now breast cancer is back in my life. This time it has attacked a good friend of mine. She is in her 30s, has two small children and no family history of cancer. She found a lump while showering. This lump was actually at the edge of her breast near her armpit. It was very small, about pea sized, and was not painful. Formerly working in the medical field (albeit the four-legged medical field), she knew she should get it checked. But being a stay at home mom and having a husband who just got back to work after a layoff without health insurance for another two months, caused her to delay medical attention. It nagged the back of her mind, so she started feeling the lump daily. First she thought her anxiety was making her think the lump was getting bigger, but two weeks after finding it, it was clear the lump was growing. Now it was bean sized, basically twice the size in two weeks. Fortunately she found a program through the Susan Komen Foundation that allowed her to be seen (& treated) at minimal cost. (Health Insurance will start for her soon, but wont pay because now her cancer is a pre-existing condition.) She has been diagnosed with Stage 2 Grade 3 breast cancer. This form has a 10% cure with surgical removal alone. She was rushed in for a radical mastectomy. The bad news was the cancer had already spread, the good news was it was found in only two of the eleven lymph nodes removed with her breast. Now she is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy. With these treatments, she has a 55% chance for a cure. She has explained to her children that she is sick and needs medicine that will also make her sick. They had a head shaving party, as they decided it would be less scary for the kids to help her lose her hair, rather than see it fall out. She is determined to stay positive that she will beat this disease.
I don’t mean to scare or depress anyone. Rather I am asking for positive thoughts and prayers for my friend. Also I want to remind everyone to do their monthly self breast exams. Early detection is so important. Please don’t ignore any changes in your breasts – shape, color, discharges, smell – any change can be important. Please know there are wonderful groups like the Susan Komen Foundation that will help with the costs of mammograms other costs. Above all, even with our busy lives, always take time for your health – eat well, exercise, and manage your stress. Your health is the most important thing you have.
I will end with the words of a national campaign, “Feel your Boobies”!
Lara Day
Foundation Board of Directors
VP of Programs
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