Pink Ribbon anyone?..

Now, my share on this...

Last year in April (during that time of the month) i discovered i had a lump the size of a peanut in my left breast but i just dissed it coz i thought (at the time) that well during (those time of the months) women do develop lumps that soon goes away (when the time of the month is gone).

Then a month later is was still there. Another month it was still there. I totally forgot about it and in June i looked in the mirror and it looked bruised. So, after much thought i decided to go for a check up at the Damansara Medical Centre. This was the funny part:

At the counter (X-Ray area):

Liz: Hi, I made an appointment this morning regarding a mammogram?

Lady at counter: Oh, you need to fill out this form and wait for your name to be called.

Liz: (looking around..heck i was the only one there...) So, i filled out this form and gave it back to her and she told me to sit.

10 minutes later...

Lady at counter: You may go into that room (pointing at the room where it says mammogram).

Liz: So, i lazyly walked in lah.

Inside the memmogram room..

Young Nurse: You may change into those and wait for the docter to come.

Liz: So, i changed into those hospital robes and made myself comfy on the bed..hehe.

Then the docter came in...female..thank GOD!

Docter: Ok, have you had a mammogram before?

Liz: This is my 1st time.

Docter: Do you have any family history of breast cancer.

Liz: None, not that i know of.

She was asking all these while checking my breast...haha! Strange having a lady feeling it..

Docter: You look awefully young, how old are you?

Liz: I am 27..

Docter: Huh..27, (she gave me a quirky smile) Actually a mammogram is only meant for women over 40...

Liz: (now i'm confused) The lady at the counter didnt say anything..

Docter: Well, some people just are not alert of their job..Ok, you go into the other room (the ultrasound room).

In the Ultrasound room..

Docter: Ok now, lie down and make yourself comfortable.

Liz: (Did what the docter ordered)..

The docter then put this gel on my breast and scanned it (like the kinds when your checking for the baby's stage!)

After both breasts were ultrasounded...(Heartbeating fast!) ..

Docter: Ok, you dont have any serious lump, it is not a tumor..

Liz: then what is it?

Docter: Its located on top of the skin (the 2nd layer i guess), its more like an acne,..

Liz: Almost laughing... Hehe, i thought i was thne 1st in the family..

Docter: Well, its good of you to come and check..do you do regular self checks at home?

Liz: Very seldom...

Docter: Well, you should do it monthly...preventation is better than cure..

So, that was it. And i still have this peanut size acne that does not seem like it wants to pop! (Bisul kot....hehehe)

What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast begin to grow out of control and then invade nearby tissues or spread throughout the body. Large collections of this out of control tissue are called tumors. However, some tumors are not really cancer because they cannot spread or threaten someone's life. These are called benign tumors.

The tumors that can spread throughout the body or invade nearby tissues are considered cancerous and are called malignant tumors. In Theory any of the types of tissue in the breast can form a cancer, but usually it comes from either the ducts or the glands because it may take months to years for a tumor to get large enough to feel in the breast.

How Risky is anyone at getting breast cancer?

It picks it victims at random but those that have a family history and women that get their menopause late..!! Also those that take hormone pills, birth control pills, not breastfeeding, drinking alcohol alot and being overweight.

How to prevent breast cancer?

If possible, a woman should avoid long-term hormone replacement therapy, have children before age 30, breastfeed, avoid weight gain through exercise and proper diet, and limit alcohol consumption to 1 drink a day or less.

How to check?

The earlier that a breast cancer is found, the more likely it is that treatment can be curable. For this reason, we screen for breast cancer using mammograms, clinical breast exams, and breast self-exams. (Should go for checkups every 3 years for ages 20-39).

What are the signs of breast cancer?
Unfortunately, the early stages of breast cancer may not have any symptoms. This is why it is important to follow screening recommendations. As a tumor grows in size, it can produce a variety of symptoms including:

1. lump or thickening in the breast or underarm
2. change in size or shape of the breast
3. nipple discharge or nipple turning inward
4. redness or scaling of the skin or nipple
5. ridges or pitting of the breast skin

If you experience these symptoms, it doesn't necessarily mean you have breast cancer, but you need to be examined by a doctor.

Stages in breast cancer

Stage I ? early stage breast cancer where the tumor is less that 2 cm across and hasn't spread beyond the breast
Stage II ? early stage breast cancer where the tumor is either less than 2 cm across and has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm; or the tumor is between 2 and 5 cm (with or without spread to the lymph nodes under the arm); or the tumor is greater than 5 cm and hasn't spread outside the breast
Stage III ? locally advanced breast cancer where the tumor is greater than 5 cm across and has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm; or the cancer is extensive in the underarm lymph nodes; or the cancer has spread to lymph nodes near the breastbone or to other tissues near the breast
Stage IV ? metastatic breast cancer where the cancer has spread outside the breast to other organs in the body

Treatments for breast cancer

1. Surgery

2. Chemotherapy

3. Radiotherapy

4. Hormonal Therapy

5. Biologic Therapy

* I did a bit of research on this... to find out more go to:

1. www.cancer.org

2. www.cancer.gov