Breast Cancer Awareness Month PSA

Get Screened, Trust Your Gut (and Remember, Your Mother is Always Right)

My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 39. She went to see her doctor about a lump in her breast. He told her that he’d never felt a cancer like that before and not to worry about it. Instead, she insisted on a biopsy, and sure enough it was cancer. She trusted her gut, advocated for herself, and as a result, she got to live another 46 years before the damage caused by breast cancer radiation became too much for her heart and lungs. She passed away this past February at the age of 85, just a year and a half after we lost JJ’s amazing mom, who courageously battled metastatic breast cancer through numerous recurrences for more than 35 years. They were both incredibly strong women who were determined to live life to the fullest despite their diagnoses. 

My mom had always told me to be vigilant about screenings, trust my gut and be my own advocate. Two years ago I felt a lump in my breast. Mammograms and MRIs were inconclusive. After an ultrasound, a doctor told me it was probably just a lymph node and not to worry about it. I was juggling three kids and running a company and I was more than happy to check it off my to do list, and move on. One year later I had my annual mammogram and ultrasound. I told the ultrasound technician that the “lymph node” was still swollen but assured her that it was just a lymph node. I could tell by her face she disagreed. A biopsy confirmed my worst fears - I had breast cancer. Just a few weeks later, after a blur of doctor's appointments, I underwent a double mastectomy. Thankfully my lymph nodes were clear, so I was able to avoid radiation and chemotherapy. But I know how incredibly lucky I am, because that year-long delay could’ve easily led to a very different outcome. It was a stark reminder of the importance of early detection, being your own advocate, and that your mother is always right.

I share this story during Breast Cancer Awareness month as a reminder to get screened, and if something doesn’t feel right, get a second opinion or request a biopsy. That’s the only way to know for sure. 

Keep reading for excellent screening guidance from Memorial Sloan Kettering and share these guidelines with your loved ones. 

One of the most important things we can all do, this month and every day, is raise awareness of the importance of breast cancer screenings. It’s determined by many factors, including age, overall health, and family history. Knowing your risk for getting breast cancer will help you decide when screening is right for you. Early detection and diagnosis can make all the difference in cancer treatments.

You can ask your healthcare provider about the risk of getting breast cancer in your life. This “lifetime risk” tells you if you are at average, intermediate, or high risk for getting breast cancer.

MSK has different guidelines for the type and timing of your screening, depending on your risk level.

If you’re at AVERAGE RISK for breast cancer:

• Starting at age 20, become familiar with how your breasts look and feel. Knowing your breasts will help you notice changes.
• Get a breast exam from your healthcare provider every year starting at age 25.
• Starting at age 40, have a mammogram or tomosynthesis (3D mammogram screening) every year. First, talk with your healthcare provider about the pros and cons of getting screened. If your mammogram shows you have dense breasts, they may recommend additional screening tests. These can include an ultrasound or a mammogram with contrast.

If you’re at INTERMEDIATE RISK for breast cancer:

• Starting at age 20, become familiar with how your breasts look and feel. Knowing your breasts will help you notice changes.
• Starting at age 25, get a breast exam from your healthcare provider every six months.
• If you have or had atypical hyperplasia or lobular neoplasia, start getting screened at age 30. If you were diagnosed at age 30 or older, start getting screened at the time of diagnosis.
• Get a mammogram or tomosynthesis every year.
• Your healthcare provider may recommend more imaging, especially if you have dense breasts.

If you’re at HIGH RISK for breast cancer:

• Starting at age 20, get a breast exam from your healthcare provider every six months.
• Have a mammogram or tomosynthesis every year. Start no later than 10 years before the youngest age that a close blood relative was diagnosed with cancer. Do not start earlier than age 25.
• Have an MRI every year and alternate with a mammogram every six months.
• If you had radiation treatment, have your MRI and mammogram or tomosynthesis at the same time or every six months. Screening should begin eight years after radiation treatment.
• If you had top surgery and were assigned female at birth, talk with your healthcare provider about screening. You probably still have breast tissue.
• If you’re having or had gender-affirming hormone therapy, talk with your healthcare provider about screening.