Health Narrative

Womens Health Magazine

Fiona Flynn

My Story
I first discovered a lump on my breast my freshman year of college. Thinking nothing of it, I
carried on with day to day activities and disregarded the numerous health talks, PSAs, and
articles that urged young women to take all lumps seriously. Over time, I continued to notice
this lump. I began to consider that maybe, just maybe, it could be something worth looking
into. Fear got the best of me, and again, I put if off.

A year later at a routine check-up, my physician was showing me how to perform a self breast
exam. Many young women do not know how to properly check themselves, so she told me just
exactly where and what to look for. As soon as she went to my left breast, she noticed the
lump. She asked me had I noticed it before, and how long it had been there. My heart sank
and a cold sweat came over me. That day, she called my mom and referred me to an expert.
Within a matter of two weeks, it had all started to unravel.

The Cold, Hard Facts

Apart from skin cancer, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer related death for women in
the United States (Mayo Clinic). According to the CDC, every year over 220,000 women are
diagnosed with breast cancer. There are various types of breast cancer; the type depends on
which cells in the breast are turned into cancer (CDC). However, with education and
technological advancements, it is a cancer that is viewed as highly treatable.
As with most cancers, breast cancer is a disease in which the cells of the breast multiply rapidly
and with no control.

There are many risk factors that are associated with developing breast cancer. They include
family history, obesity, being a woman, and increasing age (Mayo Clinic). With all of these risk
factors in mind, it is imperative that we be proactive and make the smart choices that will
directly impact our lives.

Why?
From the time we are teenagers, we are taught to always take our signs seriously, always ask
questions, and never to feel ashamed about our bodies. Why are so many young women not
educated on how to better protect themselves against cancer?

Why did I not take action sooner? So many people live in fear of a disease becoming their
reality if talked about.

With the launch of the Susan G. Komen foundation, endless pink ribbons, sports rallies, and
simply more people talking, breast cancer has become a house-hold term, as well as a fight that
families, neighbors, friends, and communities tackle together. In a way, this disease has the
power to do so much good. We rally together and raise money for this disease. We fight with
the survivors, and remembers those who have lost the battle in hope that one day, this disease
will have an ultimate cure.

Preventative measures
According to Mayo Clinic, the survival rates for women with breast cancer continue to increase,
while the number of deaths drop. They contribute this to different factors such as personalized
attacks against different cancers, academic advancements, and quite simply earlier detection.

There are many ways in which breast cancer can be detected. A breast exam, ultrasound,
mammogram, or a biopsy are a few ways in which physicians can properly diagnose a patient.
The United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that woman 50-74
years old should be screened for a mammogram every two years. However, women who have
a family history of breast cancer should go before the age of 50. The best form of action
against cancer is any kind of action. If you are at risk for any type of cancer, you should always
take the actions to protect yourself.

The World Health Organization has a load of information that is readily available on their
website. Sites like these are so important for women to have access to. They contain factual
information that can direct women in the right direction if they have questions about breast
cancer, or they can help women get into contact with the right health care professionals.

Mammograms are considered the best way to detect early breast cancer. The CDC states that a
mammogram can detect the cancer before it can even be felt. Apart from slight discomfort, a
mammogram is a simple, effective way in which women can get results fast. Of course, with
this procedure comes the small exposure to radiation that the test emits; however, the CDC
suggest that women talk to their doctors about the past path for them. Every woman is
different, and it is important to keep in mind that this small dosage of radiation is generally not
enough to cause any damage to a womans cells.

Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) also strongly recommends a clinical breast
exam (CBE). It is also a great way for women to get checked by trained healthcare professionals.
This is a procedure that is painless and does not require exposure to radiation in any way. It is
trusted exam.

A Sight of Relief
After my doctor referred me to an expert, I was then sent to Northwestern Hospital where an
ultra-sound was performed to get a better look at what was growing inside of me. A sigh of
relief came when the doctor stated that he did not believe I had breast cancer, but instead
either a cyst or a fibroadenoma.

A week after my ultrasound, I was at Rush University where my lump was being removed. The
procedure was scheduled a week before Christmas. It took all of 30 minutes, but felt like I was
there for hours. After the surgery, the physician spoke with my mom and confirmed that the
mass had been a fibroadenoma. A fibroadenoma is a non-cancerous tumor. It is common in
young women ages 15-35 (Mayo Clinic). While this growth is not a pre-cursor for breast cancer,
it did indicate that I have dense breast tissue, which does indicate a higher risk of developing
breast cancer. I am fortunate enough to have removed this lump earlier in life, rather than
continuing to let it grow.

Young woman should take all actions to prevent themselves from developing breast cancer.
Being proactive and knowing your family and personal history of breast cancer are major
factors in catching this disease in the early stages. It is vital that we continue to educate the
public, and let it be known that our bodys signs and symptoms should be taken seriously. We
are surrounded by a wealth of resources that have the potential to help us. The Chicago
Tribune wrote an article in 2015 discussing the guidelines to a breast self-exam. The Tribune
reaches so many individuals. They have an amazing platform that will reach millions of women.
Their article gives step by step directions of how women should perform these self-exams.

I am confident that there are many women who like me, have put off going to the doctor in
fear that something is wrong. How silly of an excuse is that? We live in a society that does not
put down the sick, but rather empowers and cares for each individual. Take advantage of the
healthcare that our country has to offer, and make choices that will not only affect you, but
your family, friends, and community. Breast cancer has in some way effected us all either
through a family member, friend, colleague, or member of our community. While research is
still being done, and we have made so many advancements, it is vital that we continue to
fundraise and support those affected whilst being aware of our own bodies and our health.
 Works Cited

Breast Cancer. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 21 Aug. 2017, www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/index.htm. Accessed 4 Sept.
2017.

Breast Cancer. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 21 Aug. 2017, www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/index.htm. Accessed 4 Sept.
2017.

Breast cancer. Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 16 Aug.
2016, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-cancer/home/ovc-20207913.
Accessed 4 Sept. 2017.

Breast self-Exam guidelines. Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2015,

www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/advertising/breastcancerawareness-dst/ct-ss-bca-
breast-self-exam-guidelines-dto-20150930-story.html. Accessed 5 Sept. 2017.