Mammograms and Biopsy

Just to warn you, this post is personal, but I thought that sharing my story may help someone else by bringing this subject to light.

These past few weeks have been interesting for me to say the least. I have a strong family history of breast cancer in my family... my maternal Grandmother died from it at age 41 ( I think that was her age), and one of my cousins (again, maternal side) was diagnosed with it as well in her 30's of which thankfully she has overcome! So growing up I knew that when the time came, I would need to make sure I was on top of it. My mom has been so good about reminding me and encouraging me to get a breast cancer screening. For a while I could not because I was nursing Liane (um ya imagine how a mammogram would go!), and lately we have been trying for baby number two. The blessing of not being pregnant as of yet is that I was finally able and ready to get the screening done. Well back in July I had my yearly exam and during which I talked to my doctor about the possibility of her ordering a screening for me. We talked of my strong family history (normally one wouldnt get screened until age 35 if there is a family history and if not, would not get a screening until age 40), and decided that it would be smart to start this process now.

I went in a few weeks ago for my first mammogram and the results came back that I had some calcifications in my right breast that could be early signs of cancer and the radiologist wanted me to come back for some more scans. This news was a little scary for me as you might imagine, but Salomon gave me a blessing and I was filled with peace. I felt that no matter what the outcome, I would be ok. I knew that if it was cancer, that I caught it early and I was young and I would do whatever to fight for my health. So a couple days after that I went in for another mammogram and indeed there were calcifications, but the radiologist and doctor could not tell 100% if they were benign and given my history they did not want to have me wait the usual 6 months to see if anything had changed, so they recommended a stereotactic biopsy.

Here are details on what this is...

" This is a simple procedure that uses advanced digital mammography. It removes tiny cores of tissue from the mass or calcifications..." The technologist will position you on your abdomen on a special table. Your breast will be gently placed through an opening, and you will be made as comfortable as possible. Your breast will be compressed; xrays will be taken to verify the location of the lesion. If the position is not quite right, you will be repositioned to ensure accuracy. After the Radiologist reviews these films, he/she will use the computer to locate the precise area of your breast tissue to be biopsied. He/she will then numb the breast tissue with lidocaine. A small incision will be made through which the biopsy needle will be inserted. Once inserted, 6-15 small cores of tissue will be removed and sent to pathology for a diagnosis. A small metallic clip is placed as a marker at the biopsy site."

It may sound bad and painful, but really it was one of the easiest things to do. I did feel like a car at Jiffy Lube though - being on a table that was lifted into the air so the radiologist could work under me... lol too funny, but hey - whatever works! The recovery was just about painless as well, just a mild ache at the biopsy site. Results are given within 48 hours and thankfully my results were that the calcifications were benign - NO CANCER!!!!

I feel so blessed to be in good health and be spared from cancer. I will continue to be proactive on my health and will continue to get routine screenings to make sure nothing has changed. The wonderful part of this as well, is that my insurance covered the screening and diagnostic mammograms 100%!! Im still waiting to see about the biopsy. No matter what, it was worth every little bit of what I have gone through these past few weeks. I am grateful for my life, my health, my mom who nagged me to get this done :-), and everyones thoughts and prayers on my behalf. Im blessed to be a happy, healthy wife, mom, daughter, and friend. Oh and you better believe that I am going to be a "nagging mom" too when it comes to my daughter being on top of her health!!

I feel strongly that we as women, especially, need to take care of ourselves - our bodies! Getting a mammogram early can SAVE YOUR LIFE... I cannot stress that enough! It certainly does not have to be done as early as I did (Im 32), but once the time in your life does come - and it will- for you to get routine mammograms, DO IT!! Dont wait, dont hesitate... it could save your life.