If you read my old blogs, you know a little bit about how cancer has affected my family. On the blog dedicated to my sister, I mentioned my Auntie L has a rare blood cancer, which she has under control.
Last September, when Dan and I were in California, we found out my Auntie M had breast cancer. Auntie M is my mom’s oldest sister. The word was that she had good doctors, but they made three attempts to remove all the cancer, and if I recall, they eventually had to remove her whole breast.
Last week, I was talking to my mom. She was telling me all about the hectic week she had. She and my Auntie L (second oldest of my mom’s sisters) have their birthdays two days apart. So they went to Auntie L’s to celebrate. Then my grandma started having some heart palpatations, so they had to bring her to the doctor. It happened again later in the week, after my mom got home, so my mom ended up taking my Oma to the doctor again. But Oma is ok.
Anyway, at the birthday party, my Auntie P told everyone that she has the same cancer that my Auntie M has. Auntie P is the youngest sister, about 10 years younger than my mom. Auntie P is only ten years older than me. From what I understand, Auntie P’s cancer was caught earlier, because she had some pain. So, of the four girls, my mom is the only one right now who hasn’t had cancer. (Let’s hope it stays that way!) And my mom just had a mammogram recently, at Auntie M’s suggestion, since this caused by genetics.
After my mom told me all this, she said, “You should probably tell your doctor about your family history, so you can see about getting early mammograms.” My dad’s sister had breast cancer, and now my mom’s two sister, one who is only 10 years older than me. Honestly, when she told me that, I was thinking the same thing. But part of me screams, “I am too young for this!!!”
But then again, my younger sister died of non-smoking related lung cancer at the age of 25. Children die from cancer. So, can you ever really be too young? Cancer knows no boundaries. The more family history of cancer you have, the more you should be aware of it. Rationally, I know this.
After my sister died, I really resented that pink ribbon. “There are so many cancers out there, and yet here we have funding for one particular type,” I would think. “That money could be put to use to research all of them.” But honestly, that pink ribbon has probably saved many women’s lives. Whose to say researching funds from that pink ribbon won’t help other people with cancer? If we can find a way to eliminate breast cancer, maybe we can find a way to eliminate all cancers. Who knows?
But for now, I need to see about getting my boobs squished.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
The American Cancer Society - Making Strides
Lynda I am surprised that you havent had one yet. Insurance may not pay (they suck sometimes) but you really need to have them early!
I agree with Mel. It is way past time, my friend.
what kind of cancer was it that she was warned by the pain? Or do all lumps hurt?
Go forth and squish those girls! It’s not that bad and your life is worth the effort. /lecture
Blue - some lumps hurt. Sometimes the ones that hurt are just cysts, but, despite what many doctors believe, cancer lumps can hurt. I imagine the pain drove her to find the lump and get to the doctor right away whereas she might not have notice the lump until it got bigger.
Mel - I am only 34 years old. I think the recommended age to get them started is 40.
Mr. Fab - Well, if you can take a finger where the sun don’t shine….
Blue - Typically, cancer doesn’t cause pain, but there is always exceptions to the rules.
Finn - My mom says it isn’t as bad as everyone says it is too.
I met someone once whose whole family had genetic testing because there were a lot of cancers in their family. It turned out that they all had a gene that caused them to have a predisposition to all cancers. They particularly had a lot of female productive system cancers (breast, ovarian, uterine), so some of her sisters were electing to have hysterectomies that included removal of the ovaries and also were having mastectomies. It’s scary stuff.
I do think about the pink ribbon phenomenon, too. But I realize that sometimes they find a cure for one thing while they are searching for a cure for something else. For instance, Viagra was discovered when looking for treatment for a heart problem.
You poor thing Lynda. I hate cancer. It took my grandparents. It attacked my Mom. I had a “tumor like cyst” in my throat when I was about five, nobody ever really told me more about it, so I can’t say it was cancer or not. Go get tested.
I hate cancer.
There is a very strong line of cancer genes in my mother’s family. Three of her sisters have had breast cancer and one of her brothers had some type of cancer ( that I can”t remember right now) When I turned 30, I started getting mammograms. The insurance company didn’t want to cover them but the doctor called it a “medical necessity” and they finally ponied up. You may have to prove it but DO IT. My mom, sister and I all do it around our birthdays (it’s easier to remember to get one!)
Definitely do it! I had a lump that different doctors ignored over the years, telling me I was too young to have cancer and that I was just feeling bone. Well, it turned out to be a solid tumor (in fact, I had two of them).
Maybe I already told you this story…I don’t remember. In any case, they ended up being benign, thank God. Because if they’d been cancerous, my chances wouldn’t have been very good since I wasn’t taken very seriously.
I’ll be praying for you. And I’m with you on the ribbon. I lost my aunt to breast cancer, so I’m all for research for breast cancer, but I get so angry at how overlooked lung cancer is. It’s not fair.
Hi Lynda,
You may want to add http://www.thebreastcancersite.com
Each click helps give free mammograms.
Auntie P is having her lumpectomy today so we will all keep her in our thoughts and prayers.
Auntie M finished her radiation a couple of weeks ago and is doing well. Though they had to do her lumpectomy 3 times, she did end up not having a mastectomy.
Love, Mom
I always thought it was 35, the age to get a mammogram. That’s what my mom suggested any way. I don’t mind getting tests, which is why I get an extra Pap smear to test for cervical cancer since it runs in my family. One can never be tested enough I say. That was how my mom found hers so early and beat it.
And I agree with you about the pink ribbon thing. While I support their mission I always wonder, what about the other cancers women fight? There is not ribbon for cervical cancer. Then I feel like I am being petty and stupid and come to the conclusion you said about them spreading the research around.
I hope your tests go well. I will be doing my own in a few years myself.
If babies can mis-carriage, nobody’s too young to die.
Smashed boobies not cool! Breast cancer, or anything that takes women from this planet, even worse… All points announcement! Ladies, go get checked!! Early detection can help you be around to help us guys that love you….:) and people that care for you back…