30 June - On the freight train of Breast Cancer

A Reluctant Passenger - My updates on the 'c' word

I've written this blog for two reasons:

- Firstly to increase awareness for my friends and family, and
- Secondly, to provide an update on where my health is at without the 'c' word being the flavour of every conversation with my dear family and friends.

I did consider carefully whether I wanted everyone to know about the diagnosis. Keeping quiet amongst close friends and family is easier, but my friend shared her breast cancer news with me and encouraged me to investigate my own benign raisin further.

For this I am very grateful and want to 'pay it forward'.

We don't know who or when cancer will tap the next random person on their shoulder. When someone within our circle is effected it heightens our awareness. I hope that news of my diagnosis increases your own awareness.

Most women find a lump, or have soreness, or redness, but I had nothing. The shock of my diagnosis is worse because there was no evidence of any kind, no family history. It was quietly invading the cells in the depth of the 'wrong' breast. Detectable only under ultrasound and when comparing my previous mammogram.

So by writing this, I'm not looking for attention or sympathy, but I hope that you all have a mammogram, so you have a record of your 'girls' - a marker in place and time if you like.

And if you do have something of interest, have an ultrasound to see what's inside those interesting lumps and if you are still not satisfied, have a biopsy showing what it's made of.

I've read so many accounts of dismissed and accidental finds and getting it 'early' is key to survival. I only wonder if I had gone back at 2 years since last mammogram instead of 2.5 years, would my treatment plan be a little lighter on????

So visit www.breastscreen.org.au and book your mammogram on-line.