I want to talk about BREAST CANCER.
I’m not going to blog a bunch of cancer statistics and information on research and treatment. Nope. You should know the important stuff and if you don’t, Google it.
What I will do is share my opinion.
And my opinion about breast cancer is this: LISTEN TO YOUR FLIGHT ATTENDANT!
Let me explain.
The key to surviving breast cancer is early detection and treatment. So we women have to do two things: Do breast self-examinations every month, and get a mammogram every year. Pretty simple, right?
Last year, I casually blew-off my mammogram; I just didn’t worry about it. I’m sure I was busy doing something important.
This year is different. I am motivated by the incredibly strong women in my life who have lost so much: her mom . . . her breasts . . . precious time.
Yesterday, I stopped being stupid and scheduled an appointment.
Today, I drive 15 minutes to the clinic and learn that I have not had a mammogram since 2006. Sheesh.
I lost two of my siblings that year, so I guess I’ve been in a time warp or something. Here I thought I missed one exam, when I have actually missed five. Things happened. I got busy. I got lost. I guess I got diverted.
My mammogram takes all of 15 minutes, involves a little discomfort, and 20 minutes later I am home again.
It is that easy.
So now, I want to know: Have you had your mammogram this year? Why
not? It’s already October! What are you waiting for?
I know what you’re thinking, “I’ve been meaning to, I’m just so busy.”
And I get that. I know that you are crazy busy all the time. You have a job. You take care of the house. And the kids. And the spouse. Even the dog counts on you. You take care of everything. Every single day. You think you’ll get around to taking care of you, but then . . . you don’t.
Now, think about the last time you were on an airplane. Do you remember when the flight attendant reviewed the emergency and safety procedures? What did she say about your oxygen mask?
She said, “In an emergency, you are to place your oxygen mask on yourself first, and then place one on your child.”
In short, you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone else. It’s that simple.
So just do it. Right now. Make your appointment. Don’t let another day turn into another month. It is too important. You are too important.
This life of ours is a wonderful journey. And we love you and want you here for the entire beautiful flight. So ladies, please, stop with your excuses and put on your damn mask.
Thank you.
"Radiation exposure. Mammograms require very small doses of radiation. The risk of harm from this radiation exposure is extremely low, but repeated x-rays have the potential to cause cancer. The benefits of mammography, however, nearly always outweigh the potential harm from the radiation exposure. Nevertheless, women should talk with their health care providers about the need for each x-ray. In addition, they should always let their health care provider and the x-ray technician know if there is any possibility that they are pregnant, because radiation can harm a growing fetus."
My concern comes from what I'm hearing down in Florida. The health care industry is milking (no pun intended) the cash cow! If someone sprains their finger playing tennis, they rush them to the hospital for a scan. My sister has been living in Florida for about twelve years. During that time she has had at least 15 scans or MRI's. If her shoulder hurts, they have to do a scan, it's ridiculous! She's not the only one. Her friends, and neighbors go though the same thing. Surprise, surprise, she ended up with adrenal cancer about two years ago. We've never had a history of cancer in our families.
I agree with oth of you. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was in her late seventies and had a mastectomy and the usual other treatments. She lived in the years when x-rays were more powerful and in her mid-eighties had multiple radiation treatments to slow the growth of a non-malignant meningioma in her brain. When she died at eightynine, it certainly wasn't because of mammograms or radiation. Without the mammograms her life would have been shortened for sure due to cancer and she and my family would have missed out on wonderful times. Thank you for posting this.