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A routine mammogram sent Kim Hodges from Athens to a hospital for a biopsy of what she thought was a calcification of the chest. Then she received news that changed her life forever,
He was diagnosed with breast cancer.
"If my doctor had not wanted to check that I had calcification and not a malignant tumor, I might never have discovered cancer," Hodges said. "While the tumor was malignant, the calcification was benign."
Hodges has been diagnosed with invasive lobular stage III carcinoma (RCC). His treatment includes surgery, four cycles of chemotherapy and 60 cycles of radiotherapy. His positron emission tomography (or PET) indicated that the cancer had not metastasized.
"I've found that the best way to fight cancer is to cope with the problem and stay positive," Hodges said. "It's also important to have a good support system."
Hodges also knows that it's important to pass one's annual mammogram.
"I have never missed a mammogram, yet, according to doctors, I have been suffering from this cancer for some time. I do not have breast cancer in my close family. But I have cousins who have been diagnosed with cancer. Many people with breast cancer have none of the risk factors.
According to Johns Hopkins Hospital, CLI is the second most common form of breast cancer diagnosed in the United States, accounting for 10-15% of diagnosed invasive breast cancers.
This type of cancer is more difficult to visualize in imaging because of the way the cells pass through the breast tissue. Invasive lobular carcinomas are usually larger than expected in mammography. Most patients will receive breast MRI to get a better idea of the extent. Invasive lobular carcinomas are usually strongly estrogen-receptor positive, making them susceptible to anti-hormonal drugs such as tamoxifen.
During this month of breast cancer awareness, Hodges and others stress the importance of receiving mammograms every year. Such a mammogram showed that Robbye Grissom, one of the owners of the BnR Country in Mabank, had a mass. In May, he was diagnosed with stage II invasive ductal carcinoma – one of the most common breast cancers -.
"I was shocked when my tumor came back malignant," Grissom said. "I had frights before, but they always came back negative."
She finished three of her four treatments.
"Thanks to my husband, Bill, there was a lot less sobbing and a lot of laughs. I could not do this without my husband and my support group. If I have to give advice to women, have this mammogram every year. Do not skip it. If I did not have a mammogram, my cancer could have been much worse. "
Recognition to help prevent or detect cancer at an early stage was created in 1985 as part of a collaboration between the American Academy of Family Physicians, the AstraZeneca Healthcare Foundation and CancerCare, Inc.
Since its inception, the organization of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) promotes events and educational programs aimed at encouraging and empowering women so that they can take into account their breast health by regularly performing breast self-examinations, passing the recommended mammograms and scheduling regular visits. with their doctor for breast care, after any prescribed treatment and learn as much as possible about breast cancer and breast health.
The wearing of pink ribbons as an awareness would have begun during the Iranian hostage crisis of 1979, during which yellow ribbons were used. The pink ribbon, which has become the global symbol of breast cancer and breast cancer awareness, was first used in the 1990s, at a time when ribbon wear was becoming more and more of a trend. .
Organizations such as the Susan G. Komen Foundation began distributing pink ribbons in 1991. The pink ribbon for breast cancer would have been chosen because it is a color of health and represents femininity.
Research shows that women should be eligible for screening mammograms from the age of 40. Risk factors include women, age, and genetics. Overweight, lack of exercise, smoking and eating unhealthy foods are other factors.
Like Hodges, Grissom is not a typical breast cancer patient.
"I do not have breast cancer in my family and I do not have other risk factors," Grissom said. "But I had mammograms every year. I think this time may have saved my life. "
According to the American Cancer Society, 235,000 Americans will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and more than 40,000 will die from it.
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