Cordelia is here with some crucial information about Yearly breast exams.
What a lot of readers don’t know is that my mom is a double cancer survivor. During my senior year of highschool, she was diagnosed with Cervical cancer and then eight months later, stage two breast cancer. So I’d like to take today to give the ladies here a friendly reminder on the importance of taking your health into your own hands.
Mammograms and yearly Gyno appointments are necessary
Usually mammograms are suggested to be started at age forty and after fifty-four, they should go from yearly to every two years. That said, doing self exams and having exams done by your Gyno, can help early detection. There are a couple signs that can let you know that you may need to get further examinations done, the most noticeable are new lumps. Lumps can be be found around the breast or near the armpit. Sometimes these are fatty cysts but a lot of times, they can be more. Thickening sink, shape and size change, sunken nipples, growing veins, bumps, dimples, nipple crusting, fluid leakage, skin sores, and red or hot skin are all potential signs that something is wrong.
Once you start getting mammograms, there’s a few things to know. They’re not nearly as scary as you think. Yes, they’re a bit uncomfortable but the procedure only lasts about twenty minutes and some testing centers will actually give you your results before you leave the office. Digital mammograms are more reliable machines and recommended to those with larger breasts. Deoderant can actually interfere with your results.
Catch it early on
Because mammograms can miss up to 20% of breast cancer, how else can you potentially detect breast cancer? Like I mentioned above, self-exams and clinical breast exams are two great ways but you can also get ultrasounds or MRIs.
In most cases, breast cancer is curable and if caught earlier, the treatments are significantly less severe. Early detection is key. In my personal experience, my mom’s mammogram stated ‘further testing required.’ and her doctor did not do that testing because they thought it was just a cystic lump. Had they done those tests, she would have only had a lumpectomy vs a double mastectomy.
Sometimes you need to be an advocate for yourself and don’t be afraid to speak up and use your voice.
