October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Its so ironic. This is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I am getting my Med Port Removed (finally) next Friday on the 9th., then my Mammogram on Thursday the 15th. Scary month. I really hate to get that mammogram, as I am petrified. Is that something I am going to feel each time? It's amazing how you can get other illnesses like Rheumatoid Arthritis and not have the same dire fear about your future. I have moderate Rheumatoid Arthritis and some days can't get out of bed, but I am not petrified to get my routine tests for that. Breast Cancer is a very scary thing, as it can creep up on you without your even knowing it.

An estimated 192,370 U.S. women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009.
An estimate 2.5 million living in the United States have a history of Breast Cancer.
In 2009 an estimated 440 men will die fro Breast Cancer.
One out of eight American women who live to be 85 years of age will develop breast cancer, a risk that was one out of 14 in 1960.

Here are some websites about Breast Cancer that I found helpful.
http://www.breastcancer.org/
http://www.chemoangels.net/
http://csn.cancer.org/forum/127
http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/
http://apps.komen.org/Forums/
http://www.healthwellfoundation.org/- They will help financially
http://www.breastcancersociety.org/- They will help financially
http://www.copays.org/- They will help with co-pay reimbursement


Please, if you're diagnosed with Breast Cancer, ask questions, do research. It's tough financially. If Gary's parents weren't there to pay my monthly insurance premiums, I would have been in big trouble. They paid monthly with a smile on their face, and refuse to be paid back. They are constantly giving us gift cards to Giant, Trader Joe's for groceries. They are truly amazing people. Well sorry I kind of got off the subject there, just thought people should know how LUCKY I was. But check out those websites if you need help financially.


Here is some info from the website:

Symptoms of Breast Cancer

The most common symptom of breast cancer is a small lump of abnormal tissue that can be detecting in the breast by performing a self-diagnosis. Doctors can also use mammograms to search the breast for abnormal tissues that may signal the presence of cancer.

Women and men with breast cancer may also notice pain or changes in the breast’s appearance. These are not reliable symptoms of breast cancer because they are present in a variety of breast disease, but those who experience them should most certainly see their doctors to have a full diagnosis.

Causes of Breast Cancer

There are several genetic and environmental factors that can influence breast cancer development. Those who have a family history of breast cancer are at a higher risk of developing the disease themselves.

This does not mean that men and women have to rely on their genetic luck to avoid cancer. Some of the factors are easily controlled. For instance, tobacco and frequent alcohol use have been linked to higher instances of breast cancer in women. Weight gain can also put a woman at higher risk, especially if it occurs after menopause. Please refer to our Breast Cancer Information section for more cancer related information.

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