[KathyBrown]

Hello Everyone...I can't begin to tell you all how much strength and courage I've seen in this forum. I'm fairly new to finding this community, but you all are truly amazing women.

I came across this site and wanted to share it with you as an additional resource and a way to raise awareness when it comes to early detection through mammography - it’s called ImagesofHealth.com. I actually just filled out a pledge for all the women in my family and I intend to remind them ALL about getting a yearly mammography.

[patmichels]

As you know breast cancer emotionally and physically ravages 1 in 8 women. Early detection saves lives. The vast majority of women don’t perform a monthly self exam. Less than 14% of women actually do perform their monthly breast self-exams. Early detection is one of the keys to survival. Discovering a lump early while it is still small can make a difference between having chemotherapy or not having chemotherapy.

[Wowwhatnow]

I totally agree. In November I saw the monthly "Buddy Check 12" reminder on our local tv Station (Thank you Lin Sue Cooney!) and gave it a go. Found a lump. Got the mammo, ultrasound, biopsy and yes it is an aggressive BC that didn't show up in last year's mammo. So everybody, please, don't be shy about it, give your girls a monthly feelie!
Doctors are discussing course of treatment right now as there is a further complication - on my baseline colonoscopy last week they found a golf-ball sized carcinoid tumor that's got to go too. One breast surgeon wants me to do a double mastectomy with reconstruction but won't allow the other surgery due to risk of infection, the oncologist wants me to do a lumpectomy & radiation and take care of the carcinoid at the same time. The carcinoid is pretty big and I am scared it will spread to liver and then it's curtains. I don't know in whose interest they are actually making these recommendations! I own my own business and have to be back to work by Feb 1.