October is upon us

Short and sweet - October is upon us, and October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. 

1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, but the good news is that today breast cancer, when caught in the early stages, is highly treatable and no longer has to be a death sentence.  

The problem is, you can't catch breast cancer in the early stages if you aren't having your regular screenings.

Two years ago I went in for a regular (albeit a few months late) mammogram, just as I had done for the last 10 years.  And it is because I had gone in regularly, that the radiologist was able to detect the subtle changes in the breast tissue that led to my diagnosis.  Did you catch that last part?  "Subtle changes" - not glaringly huge mass or lump, but subtle changes in the image on the mammogram.  The cancer was actually 3 cm in diameter, but was so deep into my chest that it was only detectable as subtle changes in the density of the tissue.  It would have gone unnoticed by me for many months - long enough to further invade my lymphatic system and spread to other areas of my body.   Long enough to become stage 4 and give me only a 15% chance at a 5 year survival.

But I'm here today... and I plan on being here for many many years to come.  And each year as October begins I will ask you the same question:  Ladies - have you had your mammograms?  

In memory

On Sept 23rd 2010, my childhood friend Laurel Maki, forever Laurie to me, died from breast cancer.  It's been 3 years and a lifetime ago.

Laurie lost her mother to breast cancer when we were seniors in high school, and when she died she left 3 boys - the youngest still in high school.

Laurie was a warrior - a true fighter in the war against breast cancer.  She battled, survived, battled, survived and finally, ever so finally, lost her battle.

Over 230,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013; that's second only to prostate cancer.  But thanks to the high visibility which organizations like Susan G Komen, and warriors like Laurie have brought to this disease, breast cancer is caught earlier, treated more effectively and survived far more often.

And for that, I am eternally grateful.