Jasmine's Beat®- An Adaptive Dance Company for Persons of All Abilities

By Melanie Neystel

One in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Most breast cancers occur absent a family history. We know that early detection saves lives, but ‘what does that mean for me’ you might ask? It means being educated on how and when to perform self-exams and when you’re eligible to begin mammograms is important and just might save your life!

I was 38 years old when I found a small pea-size hard lump in my breast, which I assumed was a benign fibroadenoma. My daughter Ava, who has cerebral palsy, was in third grade. My son John was in kindergarten. I was teaching in special education and my husband had just retired. I’m a mom so taking the time to do something for myself was unheard of, but I decided to take some ‘me’ time and speak with my doctor about my lump. After tests, I was diagnosed with a very aggressive Stage 2 Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC).

I was in shock. I did not have time for cancer, my plate was already full and my family needed me. I was heartbroken thinking my children would grow up without me and all the things I would miss teaching them or taking pride in their accomplishments, no matter how big or small. Cancer didn’t care what my family and I wanted, it was trying to kill me. I underwent multiple surgeries, chemotherapies, and radiation. Thanks to my treatment, great care, and family and friend support I am alive today, 6 years later, with no sign of cancer.

Luckily, acting on my suspicions resulted in early detection of my cancer. That self-exam saved my life. If you’re an adult woman – PAUSE as you read this and set a recurring date in your phone’s calendar RIGHT NOW to perform a breast self-exam. Refer to the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s (NBCF) guide on Breast Self-Exams to learn exactly how to do it!

By the time you can feel a lump it may have been growing for years. Some types of breast cancer don’t form a lump so you would never feel them. That is why it’s important to begin receiving annual mammograms when you turn 40. If your family has a history of breast cancer, talk to your doctor about the possibility of beginning mammograms before age 40. Many insurance companies will allow you to receive a ‘baseline’ mammogram between ages of 35-40 as well. To learn more about mammograms, check out NBCF’s online resources.

NBCF believes that cost should NEVER be a barrier to receiving needed care. NBCF has a national mammography program to cover the cost of mammograms at partner facilities for those that are uninsured or underinsured. Please review their website for more details on the National Mammography Program as well as many other programs, free educational resources, and opportunities to get involved to HELP WOMEN NOW!