I put off my first mammogram because I was scared. Last year, I found a lump and everything changed. This is my story that I wanted to share through Hook PR & Marketing, where I am a project manager.
My little sister, once she became an adult, was an avid supporter of breast cancer awareness. Her enthusiasm for the topic never made sense to me because the disease had never personally impacted our family or friends. Today, my perspective has changed, and I am thankful for the work she did to bring awareness. You see, in the summer of 2024 I was diagnosed with stage 1B invasive ductal carcinoma. The disease had impacted our family.
This month reminds us of the importance of regular self-checks, mammograms, and follow-ups. I’ve been a regular self-checker since college, almost to a fault. Cancer has always been a fear that lived in the back of my mind. That fear also caused me to put off doing one of the most basic screenings: my first mammogram. The lump I found last spring may have been found even earlier if I hadn’t put off this basic procedure because of fear. Fear of discomfort. Fear of what might be found. Just pure fear. Let me tell you one thing, that fear is nothing compared to the last year of my life.
It’s easy to fall into the “what ifs,” but that doesn’t help anything. I’m here to share with you what I’ve learned so that you or your loved ones don’t make the same mistakes I made because of fear.
Learn how to give yourself a proper self-check. Ask your primary care provider for resources or to teach you. The National Breast Cancer Foundation offers basic instructions on its website. A quick online search will turn up additional resources.
Yes, mammograms can be uncomfortable, but the discomfort typically lasts only a few minutes. There are also other options available if it really scares you. Seek out a facility that offers ultrasound screening. But don’t put it off! The recommended age for getting your first mammogram is 40, earlier if there is a family history.
How can you support a loved one or friend who is navigating this path? Be there. Be there with meals for the family after chemotherapy sessions. Find out what they are craving or willing to eat, and bring that. Be there with smiles, love, friendship, and prayer. They will feel alone, even if they aren’t. They will feel like no one understands, even if they do. They will put on a brave face, even when they are falling to pieces on the inside. They will say “it’s just hair” as their locks loosen, even though they are grieving bitterly about the loss.
Some of my favorite things during my months of chemo were:
- Ginger chews for nausea
- Jolly Ranchers or other strong-flavored hard candy to suck on during treatment. Port flushes and some chemotherapies leave a terrible taste in your mouth.
- Books to read, word puzzles, and adult coloring books for when I didn’t feel like napping
- A blanket and travel pillow
- Suzzi-Pads (for icing hands and feet during specific treatments)
- Cute hats & scarves (my favorite was a ball cap that said, “Bad Hair Day.” Nurses always got a laugh from that one.)
- A large ceramic-lined water bottle (my favorite)
- Reusable plastic utensils (metal tasted terrible)
- Blue nausea bags to keep handy everywhere
It’s a very challenging path to walk. It can feel terribly lonely. Be patient with them. Let them cry when they need to. If they need to cry in private, let them. If they love one thing today and hate it tomorrow, that’s normal. If they need to rest, let them rest. Sometimes you may have to tell them to rest. They will often be frustrated because they don’t have the energy they once had. They will need lots of reassurance and patience. Be their support system.
This month of awareness and pink ribbons has taken on a new urgency for me: to get the word out, to encourage everyone about the importance of regular screenings, to help friends and family know how best to support their loved ones. Don’t wait. And, if you do find yourself walking this path, know that you can do it and you aren’t alone!