As a young woman in my thirties and also a trained scientist, I decided to have a breast check by the doctor in my local health center in London. October is the official month for Breast Cancer Awareness. Of course, we should not remember the risk only once every October, but the campaigns running during this month remind us to check ourselves and refer to a doctor if we have any suspicions of breast abnormalities.
The doctor could feel a small lump and referred me to an ultrasound screening in a clinic. The appointment was set in two weeks' time from that day. It has been a torture. As I live on my own and away from my family, I thought it wouldn't be fair to upset them, at least until I knew the result of the screening.
The referral by the doctor was for a suspected cancer. I kept living with this idea for the whole two weeks. I went through all the possible scenarios in my head over and over again, everyday without telling anyone. I went to the hospital on the day of the appointment. By myself. I wanted to go through it on my own. I almost passed out waiting outside the doctor's room. Cold sweat was covering my body as I was forcing myself to take deep breaths to relax.
The ultra sound showed no significant changes in the breast epithelium, only sparse areas of thicker density but of benign morphology. The doctor could not feel or see a lump or anything that was worth the mention of a biopsy or further worry. The breast epithelium changes around the menstrual cycle and due to hormonal fluctuations. I was relieved and burst out in tears. I called my friends to tell the good news.
Only today have I deeply realized that someone - call it my parents, God, Nature, or Luck, has given me the gift of life, the chance to live. And so I will bear that in mind. Healthy lifestyle is the way forward to make the most of your genetic background. The environment is one key factor for oncogenesis. Genes is the other one.
I feel sympathetic for people who get diagnosed with cancer. I 've seen the stress they go through. I've felt it myself now. I wear my yellow Livestrong wristband every day at all times to remind me that I need to BE strong and LIVE strong.
In our hunt for money, social status and good looks, we forget what the real gift of life is. Please be aware of the risk, check yourselves occasionally, refer to a doctor if necessary. A breast lump does not mean cancer, but even if so, the treatments and research on this aspect have been extensive and successful nowadays. I would also say "Carpe Diem".
Cherish the moment. Live healthily. Love yourselves.
Last, I attach the links of some helpful links on Breast Cancer Awareness, although you can find plenty of information on the web and the clinics:
The image is from the Partners for Breast Cancer Care website.
