Mammograms save lives
Friday, 19 April 2019
Sadly, photos of breasts attract people's attention, right? OK, so now that I've got your attention with these bulbous E cups, it's lecture time.
The type of breast cancer I have is high grade Ductal Carcinoma In Situ which means there are abnormal cells in my milk ducts. In Australia, approximately 1,600 women are diagnosed with DCIS each year and men can also get DCIS. Cancer of all types, including breast cancer, features in my paternal family tree.
Fast Fact: Early stage DCIS doesn’t usually appear as a breast lump or breast change. Mammograms and ultrasounds are the most common ways in which DCIS is diagnosed. Neither myself nor my husband, who is likely more familiar with the topography of my breasts than I, noticed or felt any changes in my jiggly bits.
If left untreated, high grade DCIS is likely to develop into invasive breast cancer. My breast surgeon said that if my cancer had gone undetected, in around 6 to 12 months I would have noticed or felt lumps...by which time it would have been classified as potentially non-treatable.
I encourage everyone to book a mammogram even if you've never noticed any changes or haven't got breast cancer in your family history. The Australian Government offers free breast screening services in all states for women aged over 40 years. In Queensland, book your free mammogram online with Breast Screen Queensland. Women less than 40 years old can discuss the necessity of breast screening with their GP (screening fees may apply).
Talk to your GP for more information or, in Australia, contact Cancer Council Australia or Breast Cancer Network Australia.
Sadly, photos of breasts attract people's attention, right? OK, so now that I've got your attention with these bulbous E cups, it's lecture time.
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| My pre-mastectomy 16E breasts, capturing people's attention since 1990 |
The type of breast cancer I have is high grade Ductal Carcinoma In Situ which means there are abnormal cells in my milk ducts. In Australia, approximately 1,600 women are diagnosed with DCIS each year and men can also get DCIS. Cancer of all types, including breast cancer, features in my paternal family tree.
Fast Fact: Early stage DCIS doesn’t usually appear as a breast lump or breast change. Mammograms and ultrasounds are the most common ways in which DCIS is diagnosed. Neither myself nor my husband, who is likely more familiar with the topography of my breasts than I, noticed or felt any changes in my jiggly bits.
If left untreated, high grade DCIS is likely to develop into invasive breast cancer. My breast surgeon said that if my cancer had gone undetected, in around 6 to 12 months I would have noticed or felt lumps...by which time it would have been classified as potentially non-treatable.
I encourage everyone to book a mammogram even if you've never noticed any changes or haven't got breast cancer in your family history. The Australian Government offers free breast screening services in all states for women aged over 40 years. In Queensland, book your free mammogram online with Breast Screen Queensland. Women less than 40 years old can discuss the necessity of breast screening with their GP (screening fees may apply).
Talk to your GP for more information or, in Australia, contact Cancer Council Australia or Breast Cancer Network Australia.
