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Florence’s Fight Like a Girl Story (Breast Cancer)

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May
01
2013
Florence Myer (Breast Cancer) LR

Just want to stress how important early detection is! Five years ago this week 4/23/12 I was told I had breast cancer. That is the last thing anybody wants to hear. However, because of early detection I am proud to say: I am a 5 year ”cancer free” survivor.   Please don’t think just because you don’t have a lump all is fine... I didn’t have a lump or any sign at all…Thanks again to annual mammograms!! Florence Meyer Missouri Submitted 4-25-2012 The informational content of this article is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice. … [Read more...]

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Jill’s Fight Like a Girl Story (Breast Cancer)

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Dec
12
2011
Jill's Story (Breast Cancer) LR

2010….what a GREAT year for me! I had a beautiful family, I started my own photography business, then I heard the words "you have breast cancer". Okay, so that last part wasn't GREAT…but it did change my life for the BETTER. In September 2010, I felt a lump that seemed to be on my rib, so it was hard for me to determine what it was. So, I ignored it for a month. When it didn't go away, I went to the doctors. The doctor felt it, and said, "I really don't think it's anything to worry about" giving me that look as if to say "you are only 37, you can't have breast cancer". Luckily, I went with my gut. What followed was a mammogram, ultrasound, and a biopsy all within a few days. That following Friday I was told that I had breast cancer, DCIS. PHEW…I thought. That is the best type to have…if you have to have any. I was told I would only need sugery to remove the disease, radiation for 6 weeks, and I would have to take Tamoxafin for 5 years. Okay, I can handle that, at least I can … [Read more...]

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Saragene’s Fight Like A Girl Story (Breast Cancer)

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Oct
10
2010
Saragene's Story 1 (Breast Cancer)

Oct 1996 I found a lump on my right breast. Of course, it was a weekend! I was fortunate to have a great primary female, woman's doctor. She saw me Monday, recommended a breast specialist, & would not let me leave until I had an appointment made. I saw the breast specialist the following week & when I opened my dressing gown, she said "Wow, I can see it!" Needless to say, it was the size of an egg and because it had grown so fast [3 wks!] we thought it was a cyst. She tried to aspirate it, but was not satisfied & scheduled an 'open biopsy' the following week. The most important part of this is to know that I had just gone thru an ugly divorce after 16yrs of marriage with 2 young female children, 11 & 14, which made me the single mom doing all this ON MY OWN! For any of you who know, info on breast cancer [most any cancer, really] in the mid-90's was not as accessable as it is today. People still were hush hush about it. Anyway, a friend dropped me off for … [Read more...]

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MaryEllen’s Story (Breast Cancer – Borderline)

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Oct
09
2010
Pink Ribbon

Hey Fellow Sisters and Fighters, I would like to share my story so it can help women and save lives. I found a very small lump in my breast in late January 2010. I thought it was just a fibrocyst and nothing to worry about, since I was about to start my cycle. It would go away. But it didn't! I waited a month and the area started getting itchy (but no rash) and the lump was just there and getting a little sore so I scheduled an appointment with my OBGYN (it was actually way past time for a PAP). Well she examined my breast and said she didn't think it felt like a cyst but don't worry, 80% of these are not in any way serious and go away on their own but we she did order both a mammogram and ultrasound. After the test, I received a very nice letter from my local hospital (not a cancer treatment facility) congratulating me on my cancer-free test BUT just come back in 6 months for a retest. HOWEVER my regular doctor received a much different report. While the mammogram did not show … [Read more...]

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Is a Mammogram or MRI Best For Breast Cancer Testing?

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Sep
25
2010
Mammogram or MRI For Breast Cancer Detection

Mammography is the most widely used screening test for breast cancer; but in the last few years more interest has focused on using breast MRI for breast cancer screening – particularly for women at high risk for breast tumors. Why the enthusiasm about using breast MRI to screen for tumors of the breast? Breast MRI studies offer two main advantages over mammography. MRI doesn’t involve exposure to radiation, and it’s more sensitive – meaning it can pick up breast cancers that mammograms miss. Still, not all doctors are enthusiastic about using breast MRI as a screening test for breast cancer. MRI Breast Cancer Screening: Is Using Breast MRI to Diagnose Breast Cancer Better? Previous studies looking at MRI for breast cancer screening showed MRI to be very sensitive for picking up breast tumors, even ones that mammography missed. The problem lies with its specificity. Breast MRI’s often picks up breast changes that are not actually cancer. This can lead to unnecessary … [Read more...]

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Early Detection Can Save Your Life!

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Aug
12
2010
Analog Mammogram vs Digital Mammogram View 1

Many of you may have heard at some point about how early detection of breast cancer (or of any cancer) can save your life. It may seem like smoke and mirrors,  but I am proof positive that early detection can save your life. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal breast cancer, the most common form of breast cancer, at the end of May.  I am 36 years old.  Since many organizations recommend that a woman have a baseline mammogram around age 35 and because I work in a radiology clinic, where I could get one done for free, I decided to go ahead and get one.  I have no family history of breast cancer and no risk factors.  In fact, had I not worked at my current job, I wouldn't have had a mammogram until age 40, as I was completely unaware that one should have a baseline mammogram.  Being honest, breast cancer is not something that I ever thought I would personally get or that anyone in my family would be afflicted with.  Even with that line of thinking, my decision to have a mammogram … [Read more...]

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