You Want To Do WHAT With My Breasts?

By now, my family, friends, and Facebook buddies are probably so tired of hearing and reading about my relentless promotion of breast cancer awareness.  I can understand that.  I am an extremely persistent person.

People see my name - usually attached to it is a pink ribbon - and they probably want to tie the thing around my neck to silence me.  These are my relatives, my friends. I can't imagine what my acquaintances are wanting to do.

Here is why I continue my faithful mission...50 percent of women in America do not get an annual mammogram.  That is a staggering percentage. That's almost like wearing only one shoe when you have two feet to cover, only the consequences can be much more costly.

In the U.S., in 2010, almost 208,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed.  In addition, about 54,000 cases of noninvasive cases were projected.

Connecticut is rated the second-highest state for breast cancer occurrence.

The good news is that in 2010, there were more than 2.5 million in the U.S. who are suvivors of breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer for women and about 40,000 women will die as a result of it each year in the U.S.  Mammograms can cut this statistic by 30 percent.

From Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and you can read the full article here...

"Average annual mammography rates are as follows:

     47% for women aged 40 to 49 years

     54% for women aged 50 to 64 years

     45% for women aged 65 or older"

"Despite professional recommendations and public support in favor of regular mammography, only about half of US women get an annual mammogram, even if they have insurance to cover the test."

My question - What about the other half that don't?

While the article did not specify why half of American women don't have the procedure done, it does hint that the reasons may be due to the discomfort of the procedure and that there may be a lack of centers where screening is available.

Other reasons might be that they don't have the time and they are embarrassed to get the mammogram.

What if you are the one, out of eight women, to be singled out to hear the words..."You have breast cancer."?  Please consider this...the alternative to not having a mammogram, such as the short lived discomfort, or lack of time, might be worse.

We all have to try to understand these obstacles and do what we can to overcome them.  Quite often, discussing these fears with your doctor can alleviate some of the anxiety.