Mammograms and Breast Cancer Month

If you do not know already, October is the month when they encourage women to have their annual mammogram taken. It is a very important way to prevent breast cancer or find breast cancer in its early stages. Our niece died this summer of breast cancer at the age of 46 and she caught it when she was 42 and went through all kinds of chemo, radiation and it still didn't stop it. However, she found it herself accidently and true or not, I have always heard that by the time you find it, it is too far advanced.

Now I understand they also have ultrasound tests, as well as, the regular machine mammograms. I thought they said on the news that they are finding more tumors with this new method. They used to say that you should be 50 to start yearly tests but now they are lowering the age because more women in their 30's and 40's are getting breast cancer. It often seems like the younger ones do not live to be cured, which is really sad as they so often leave behind a grieving husband and children of an age that really need their mother.

I am having my test this month, how about you? Should you be making an appointment. Many hospitals even give you a break on the charge for the mammogram in the month of October to encourage more women to come in and have their tests done. It is a very good thing to do. Don't put it off until it is too late.