At 38 I went in for my yearly check up. My doctor told me I should go in for a mammogram. She explained that since it was my first mammogram it was of no cost to me. So, after some procrastination and a couple canceled appointments I finally went in. The mammogram came back with some calcifications on it. They suggested a biopsy and assured me that most come back as nothing. Mine was not the case. It showed that I had the beginning stages of ductal carcinoma. After 2 failed lumpectomies I finally had a right mastectomy. It has been less that a year and I have been through 4 surgeries. If it had not been for my doctor urging me to go get the mammogram I would have waited til I was 40 to have it done, by then my cancer would have been invasive. I am blessed to have the family and friends that I have. I cannot express the importance of early detection enough. It really does save lives. It is a scary journey but with a positive attitude we can get through anything. God bless.

Laurie Layton
Richfield, UT