In 2006, I was forty one years old, and at a routine physical, my doctor told me I was a year late in having my first mammogram. I wasn't concerned. I had no family history of cancer,and I had no known risk factors. She had her office schedule it, and I promptly called and cancelled it, thinking I was too busy to bother with it.
Luckily, as a teacher, I had to view a video with my class promoting the Relay for Life which was to take place at our high school. In the video, the narrator stated that cancer can happen to anyone, regardless of family history or risk factors. I had honestly never known that. I really thought cancer was not something I had to worry about, but after seeing this video, that mammogram appointment I'd cancelled began to nag at me, so I rescheduled it.
Thank goodness I did. I had the mammogram done in the middle of the week, and by Friday, my answering machine was full of messages from the imaging center, telling me I had to come back in for more testing. I went into immediate denial, and did not return the calls. By Monday, my family doctor was on the phone, telling me to get in there and follow up with more testing. After an ultrasound, and an MRI, along with six biopsies , I learned that I had stage II cancer in two areas of my left breast, as well as numerous areas of DCIS.. The tumors were highly aggressive. I opted to have a bilateral mastectomy and follow up with chemo. I am a three year survivor now, and I tell everyone , mammograms save lives. If I had not rescheduled my appointment, I might not be here today.
Clio, MI
