My yearly physical is this morning. I try to schedule it around my birthday every year. That way it’s easier to remember. Like changing your smoke alarm batteries when Daylight Saving Time changes. (2 a.m., Nov. 3 – if you’re wondering when to Fall Back.)
It’s also handy that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Sometime in the next week or so, I’ll also go in for my annual “Knead and Squeeze.” I’ve religiously submitted to this body morphing exam for the last 15+ years. Only once was an anomaly found – a small lump in my right breast. A marker, shaped like the Cancer Awareness ribbon, helps the radiology techs keep tabs on the little pest.
A favorable biopsy result then doesn’t lessen the anticipation I always feel now waiting on my test results. A family history of breast cancer puts me in the high risk demographic, a factor that always lingers on the fringe.
Still, it’s important to keep going for my mammograms and ultrasounds, and keep doing self-exams regularly. My anxiety is also reduced when I know all of my friends, both female and male, are also taking care of themselves by performing self-checks and/or going for mammograms.
If you are a woman of a certain age (40-something) and haven’t had your baseline exam, call your doctor before the end of the month and set an appointment. Men need to do self-checks too, they are not immune to breast cancer.
Don’t let anxiety, fear and anticipation of “what-ifs” stop you from a potentially life-saving procedure.
Week 42: Inspired by “Anticipation” and/or “Leap.”
Although the situation is rare, breast cancer isn’t just relegated to those of a certain age. I used to work at the Breast Center at a local hospital. I was young then, barely old enough to imbibe legally, when I met a teenage girl who had to undergo a double mastectomy. It was a very sobering experience. Needless to say I have had an exam once a year since then, regardless of my age or Health Coverage. I never shook the image of this poor waif of a thing, with a feeble smile and fear in her eyes from my heart.
A heartwarming reminder, thank you for your post.
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I have faith that your results are going to be fine!
I’m glad you reminded men they are not immune as well. My grandfather had both breasts removed when he was in his sixties. It happens.
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good luck…but we both know you’re going to outlive all of us
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(Thanks so much for linking with WOE this week!)
and thank you for reminding me that I have an appt next Wed. It’s such an important test to have done and honestly the pain doesn’t last long. Not going could hurt a lot more.
All good stuff in my favorite color (barbie pink) 🙂
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Great photo and advice. Thanks for sharing.
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