| Every year when I go for my annual | | | | to take in all this information by herself and when |
| mammogram, I hold my breath. Will this be my | | | | she is feeling so vulnerable, so another set of |
| year to be diagnosed? | | | | ears can be very beneficial. A supportive hand to |
| I'm not just being paranoid. You see, my mom | | | | hold is powerful as well. |
| has been diagnosed with breast cancer three | | | | Third, know you family history well enough to |
| times. She's had more cancers than breasts! Both | | | | make smart decisions, but don't dwell on it. Daily |
| my grandmothers had breast cancer. So did a | | | | worry and anxiety causes stress, and that stress |
| paternal aunt. And my younger sister had the | | | | taxes the immune system and can set up an |
| disease. She died at the age of 47. So, my fear is | | | | inflammatory response. This, in turn, sets the |
| justified. | | | | stage for cellular changes that can result in cancer. |
| From the moment I make the appointment for | | | | So, some researchers believe that worrying about |
| the yearly test, I am tempted to panic. Entering | | | | getting cancer could become a self-fulfilling |
| the diagnostic center is enough to make me | | | | prophecy. Know what you need to know and do |
| sweat. Repeating my family history to the | | | | what you need to do to stay healthy, and leave it |
| mammographer elevates my anxiety to the point | | | | at that. |
| of tears. I get undressed, put on the gown so | | | | Fourth, become an advocate. Support breast |
| that it opens in the front, go through the | | | | cancer research through volunteering in your |
| embarrassing motions of exposing first one | | | | community or by donating time and money to |
| breast, then the other to the clinician and the cold | | | | national organizations trying to cure the disease. |
| machine, get redressed, and wait the anxious | | | | Not only can this lead to a cure in the future, but |
| days until I get the all clear signal--at least for one | | | | it can help you know that you are doing |
| more year. | | | | something proactive for yourself and for others |
| I know I am not alone in worrying about the | | | | right now. It keeps us from feeling so powerless |
| diagnosis of breast cancer. One in eight women | | | | against the disease. |
| will have this illness sometime across the course | | | | Finally, see a therapist to sort out your feelings of |
| of her lifetime unless a cure is found. Much is | | | | fear, worry and anxiety. These common human |
| being done in the way of research, and there is | | | | emotions can become paralyzing if not given |
| reason to hope that a cure will come soon. So | | | | attention. It is very helpful to talk through your |
| what should we do in the meantime about our | | | | feelings, learn skills to calm anxiety, and find ways |
| fears and anxieties concerning being the next one | | | | to distract yourself with the positive aspects of |
| who gets the dreaded diagnosis? | | | | your life so that fear and worry don't set up |
| First, don't let fear stop you from being screened. | | | | camp in your mind, body and spirit. You are not |
| Mammograms aren't fun, but because they can | | | | your mother or your grandmother, or even your |
| detect cancer in its very early stages, they do | | | | sister, so learning more about your identity, |
| have the potential to save lives. Not knowing you | | | | strengths, boundaries, and life can help you feel |
| have cancer is the greater danger. So, if you are | | | | your own feelings about the disease and not take |
| over 40, talk to your doctor about getting | | | | on the emotions of others as if they are your |
| mammograms. Have your physician perform | | | | own. |
| manual exams. If you are in a high risk category, | | | | Yes, breast cancer is a still a reality for too many |
| ask him or her about other screening methods | | | | women (and some men). There are no |
| like MRI, digital mammography, and ultrasound. | | | | guarantees that you won't be the next one |
| Information is power, so get informed. | | | | diagnosed, or that I won't be given the dreaded |
| Second, take someone with you for moral | | | | news at my next mammogram. But worrying and |
| support. I was asked to accompany a relative to | | | | fretting about it won't change your health for the |
| her biopsy and follow- up appointment. I provided | | | | better. It will only set you up for future problems. |
| encouragement and support, but also was | | | | Instead, channel all that energy into being |
| available to take notes about the doctor's advice. | | | | proactive, positive, and purposeful with your life. If |
| Sometimes, it is simply too much for the patient | | | | we all do that, a cure is sure to come! |