Breast Cancer

A few weeks ago I felt a lump on my breast. 

I am usually very religious about checking myself every month like you're supposed to, but for some reason I forgot the last few times.  So when I put on a new underwire bra, it poked me on the side.  I felt that area and the lump.  It felt so weird, like a soft, squishy ball.  Of course this happened on a weekend (don't they always?) so I had to wait until Monday to get some answers.

I remembered that a few years ago after having my yearly mammogram I had to go back in to have a diagnostic mammogram and an ultrasound.   I don't remember what they said but it was nothing.  My new lump was in the same area.  I had never felt it before, so it must have grown over the last few months.

I always wondered if I would know if I had a lump or not, as my breasts are very lumpy anyways.   How would I know the difference?  But I knew that if I kept checking myself every month, I would learn what was normal and what was not.  And I did.  At least the cyst confirmed that theory.

While I was growing up my mom had numerous cysts over the years.  She told me of a big, long needle they would use for a biopsy.  Thankfully none were cancerous.  But I am terribly afraid of needles. 

And I couldn't imagine losing my breasts.  I like my breasts.  I like that I have breasts!  I didn't realize how much they are part of me until I had the first tests a few years ago.  It finally hit me what a big deal breast cancer is.  Our breasts are a part of our identity as women.  For better or for worse, they are a part of who we are.  I didn't want to lose that.  Especially when there is not much else feminine about me! 

So I went in to my OBGYN and had the diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound.  Cysts.  And no biopsy with a big, long needle.  Whew! 

I write this to tell you to check your breasts every month!  If you don't know how, you can go to the American Cancer Society website.  It may save your life.