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