Do you have any family members you’ve lost to cancer? I do – several of them. One is my grandmother, Beverly, pictured above with my mom (left) and Aunt Suzi. We lost her at age 57 to breast cancer. My family history with cancer is not good, especially on my mother’s side. Most of our relatives have died of this terrible disease, and my mom had cancerous growths removed from her colon in her early 50s.
This is another picture of my Grandma Bev, holding me when I was born. Sadly I never knew her that well because of her untimely death. I hadn’t even turned 12 when she died.
I haven’t said anything on my blog about this, but recently I had a cancer scare. A breast cancer scare. I was terrified when I found a lump in my right breast during a home examination, so I headed the doctor. It was during that visit that the doctor gave me her own exam, but also asked me about my family history, and I told her all of it. The doc actually found THREE lumps. Two on the right, one on the left. She was obviously concerned (especially given my family history), so immediately had me schedule an appointment for a mammogram.
It was a few weeks between that appointment and the mammogram, and I was nervous the entire time (did a lot of praying). But I was also thankful that whatever it was had been found, and that we could figure out how to deal with it. I finally went to the mammogram, got it done (um, those aren’t fun) and a few things looked inconclusive, so they did an ultrasound. I was thrilled to find out that the lumps were benign, and everything was okay. Whew!
It made me think a lot about what all of us can do to prevent cancer. There are the obvious things like regular check ups, but we can also support organizations that work hard to fight breast cancer. American Cancer Society (ACS) is doing this with their Making Strides initiative. This nationwide breast cancer walk is striving to support those that have been affected, empower others, and cheer on survivors, all while fighting to end this disease. There is hope, especially if we all contribute our time to efforts like this.
How has your life been affected by breast cancer?
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is the American Cancer Society’s nationwide series of walking events to raise funds and awareness to end breast cancer.
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by the American Cancer Society (ACS) via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of the American Cancer Society (ACS).
Blogger who loves the color blue and sock monkeys. You can find me in public easily— I'm wearing glasses and lots of stripes.
I know too.much about cancer. My grandma died when i was 4, my mom had breastcancer, and many other around us in the family (both sides). It’s horrible. I’m planned in to let my breasts remove preventive. How I saw my mom, and all the things that went wrong, etc. Incl. A feeding tube. I wanna prevent that.
Xoxo
Karin (29yrs)
I was recently tested for the BRCA gene. It had actually passed down through my father’s side. His side was full of cancer – and cancer at early age. Breast and Ovarian. I tested negative for the gene but my sister who is a radiologist at a breast center tested positive. She had a preventative double mastectomy one and a half years ago and is doing great. Those that have the gene have somewhere around 77% chance of getting early breast or ovarian cancer. We are trying to spread awareness about the BRCA gene since early detection is always your safest bet. Learn more here http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/BRCA
My family from my mother side has a really bad history about breast cancer and cancer itself. My grandmother had breast cancer about 10 years ago, survived it luckily, but it was such a bad time for us! Two of her sisters both had cancer, one died of it
We are all concerned about it being hereditary 
I am now involved into a study research for new drugs against cancer, this is really the most horrible disease at the time :/
ps. I love the picture of your grandma, she looks beautiful!
My family also knows Cancer. My mom when I was 13, my sister, my husbands mom and his sister and many more in our family. We have surviers as well thank god!
Thats why our Family Ties team Walks for the Cure!
You NEED to have genetic testing. Specifically BRCA 1 and BRCA 2. You want to be proactive … This would also be a good start.
Glad you are ok!
My father died from cancer 1,5 years ago, he was only 62 years old…
His mother, my grandmother, had breast cancer but it wasn’t the cause of her death and my other grandmother died from bone cancer when she was 76…
I hate the disease, especially for taking my father when we are both too young to say good bye…
My story is similar to many of yours. I lost my paternal grandmother to breast cancer, I lost my sister (32) to a very aggressive form of cervical cancer, and I lost an aunt to kidney cancer. Glad to hear that you re okay. Take care.
Your story is painfully similar to mine. This past February, after going through the mammagram and ultrasound, I had a biopsy. The entire time the doctor was, quite literally, digging in my breast, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmingly grateful that they were getting whatever it was out. For too many families cancer is like a cloud and everyone’s waiting to see who it’s going to rain on. Thank you for sharing your experience and bringing attention to the Making Strides initiative.
I lost my mother when I was 11 (she was 42) and next month at the age of 25 I will be getting my first mammogram. It literally scares me to death, but, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
It must be so scary to find a lump (let alone three)! My mom died from breast cancer when I was 8 years old, so I know all too well about this horrible disease. Now, being a mom myself, I cannot even imagine what she must have gone through. I was 4 when she was diagnosed and I have two older brothers. She was only 36 when she died. Thank goodness for organizations like the one you shared. They are making great strides for treatment and finding out causes.
I am a 3 year breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed at age 42 during a annual mammogram. My youngest child was 4 at the time and I was terrified of dying and leaving her so young. Thankfully mine was caught in the very early stages. I had a lumpectomy and 42 radiation treatments. There is no history of breast cancer in my family. I urge all women to please get your annual preventive exam. It LITERALLY can save your life.
I know Cancer and I beat it. My MIL did and my sister is in round 3 of her chemo. I know she will beat it too because we’re all tough ladies. My grandma has been battling lymphoma for a very long time and she’s still beating it. My uncle had it and he beat it but was later lost to a heart attack. Cancer is touching so many of our loved ones. All we can do is support one another and keep donating to causes seeking cures. I am so sorry that cancer has touched your family as well. You’re brave to speak out about it and perhaps one woman will read this and get checked. Keep fighting the good fight!
I had my left breast removed about 8 weeks ago after a mammogram found cancer which was invisible to the touch. I searched the internet for pictures of mastectomies where an implant was used as I was too poorly for a ‘normal’ reconstruction. I found very few and so posted pictures of my own mastectomy and implant reconstruction to my blog so that other women may find them useful – they are here. http://thefeltfairyuk.blogspot.co.uk/p/warning-mastectomy-pictures.html If they help only one woman then I will be happy xx
SO sorry for the loss in your family from this horrible disease and for your scare. Its like you ultimately see your life flash before you when you think you might have the C word.
My maternal grandmother had cancer and is a survivor
I was diagnosed in March of this year with stage 4 breast cancer.
I have been through Chemo and a double mastectomy and am awaiting radiation.I’m adopted so family history wouldn’t help. Staying positive and having a great support system has make this journey easier. I thank God for my husband, friends and family.
Your post caught my attention because at 39, I’m a four-year breast cancer survivor. Never would’ve guessed that I would’ve gotten it since I didn’t have any family history & only 1 of the risk factors. The number of women in their 30s (and even younger) who are getting cancer seems to be growing. I love organizations like ACS & Making Strides, as well as Army of Women (www.armyofwomen.org) as they are trying to research the CAUSES of breast cancer so we can stop the cancer before it even begins.
My mother died of breast cancer (at the age of 34) two years ago. I plan to start getting annual mammograms in the next couple of years (I’m only 22). It’s an awful disease, and I sympathize with anyone who may have/had it or knows someone that does.
Women need to be pro-active against breast cancer. Most cancers are found by home exams as in my case. Under 40 and no risk factors or family history my doctor poo pooed my concerns. I was insistent on immediate testing and it saved my life. I had a double mastectomy and at the 2 year mark I am finishing up my reconstruction.
Doesn’t this just show us, all these personal experiences, how many there are out there who’ve been affected – gracious! My mom got a cancer diagnosis @ 47 and I lost her 2 yrs. later, when she was 49, and it was 3 mos. after my wedding, at which she was in a wheelchair, and wearing a wig. I just turned 50 on 7/28, which she never got to. I am vigilant abt the breast cancer history because I also lost 2 great-aunts on Mom’s side. My heart is truly with all of you, & with Amy, who’ve been in any way affected by this hateful disease. I care – Julie H. <3
I had a scare earlier this year, and had a lump removed and biopsied. It turned out to be a lipoma, a benign fatty tumor. I wanted it out. Having a lump on my breast that I could feel freaked me out. I am so glad your lumps were benign!
My dad died from lung cancer and his mother was a breast cancer survivor. I’ve had my own breast cancer scare and no that feeling of relief when you get the all clear. I’m glad you’re okay Amy and my heart goes out to you for those you’ve lost to cancer.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996 – after chemo and radiation – rediagnosed in 1999 – bilateral mastectomy (the only way to go so as not to have to deal with the other breast down the road) – did not spread – Thank you Lord – I AM A SURVIVOR!
♥♥♥
Sue
My daughter passed away in December from a 4 year battle with breast cancer. She left behind 2 little girls. It started out with a rash on the breast, called Paget’s. She was diagnosed when she was 5 months pregnant. She never wore a wig and looked so beautiful.
I can’t even imagine what u all went through with her pregnant! So sad! Hug the babies!