At age 58, I went in to get my annual mammogram and bone density scan on Friday, August 15, 2014. While receiving my mammogram, the technician looked at her screen and back at me a couple times which seemed a little unnerving to me. Later, I would realize that she was seeing something new on this year's X-ray compared to last year's. I got the dreaded call that no one wants to get, that a small 1.8 mil (the size of a pencil eraser) cancerous mass was discovered on my right breast and a biopsy was scheduled for the following Friday. It came back positive and I learned that I had invasive ductal carcinoma. Needless to say, the call was shocking as there is no breast cancer history in my immediate family, only with distant relatives. Plus, I wasn't able to feel the lump during my self exams. I had consultation appointments with my doctors and surgeon and an MRI done in September. I had a lumpectomy and lymph node biopsy done on October 6th. Thankfully, my lymph nodes and tissue around the cancerous mass was clear of cancer. I'm currently, being treated with whole breast radiation which will be completed by the end of December. I am a survivor. I can not stress enough how important it is to go in regularly and get your mammogram. I would not have known I had cancer if I hadn't had my annual mammogram last August. It saves lives.

Judy Kay Houser
Noble, OK