Editor’s Note: This post was written by our Founder/CEO, Janelle Hail.
We need to silence the voices in our heads that say mammograms are not necessary. Statistics from the American Cancer Society say breast cancer death rates are down 39% since 1989, attributed to both improvements in treatment and early detection by mammograms.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 34. Early detection saved my life! Mammograms are an intrical part of survival tools for women today.
Five years after my original diagnosis of breast cancer, I received a call from my doctor’s nurse with news from a routine mammogram.
“Janelle, there’s an irregularity on your mammogram, and the doctor wants you to come back for further testing,” she said.
“Should I be worried?”
“You know how it is, Janelle. You’re in the business of mammograms. You know they won’t sign off on it unless they are sure everything is OK.”
I clicked off my cell phone and slowly walked down the hall from my office to conduct a meeting. The same ugly fear flooded my mind. Am I going to die this time?
The instant we step into the unknown, everything in us wants to scream out, “I don’t want to be here!”
Because we are women, we are vulnerable to breast cancer. Life keeps making demands on us. The children need to be picked up from school, the laundry is stacking up, and the car needs gas. We find time to do everything necessary, but why do we postpone getting a mammogram? A mammogram can detect a lump two years before it is detectable to the touch.
Many women I meet say they are afraid to get a mammogram because of what they can find. It all goes back to fear. Fear of the unknown. Let’s get rid of these unhealthy thoughts with a plan of action.
NO FEAR PLAN
F-Find medical help as soon as you discover something different about your breasts, such as a nipple discharge, a dimpling of the tissue, a redness, or other unusual symptoms.
E-End bad habits such as overeating, excessive alcohol, smoking, and other things that deteriorate your health.
A-Allow other people to surround you with care and help.
R-Run away from bad attitudes and unhealthy thoughts that fuel the fire of fear.
It is time to live your life free of fear and anxiety. At NBCF, we are here to help you with education and services. Instead of dreading mammograms, let’s embrace the opportunity for good health.
Today is National Mammography Day! Live life!
Donations are always appreciated, but there are lots of great ways to get involved.
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