Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

My breast cancer journey: Why mammograms matter

Debbie Moore-Black, RN
Conditions
October 24, 2023
Share
Tweet
Share

25 years ago, at the age of 42, I had my first mammogram, which was part of my routine checkup. I had no symptoms at the time.

I was devastated when the radiologist discovered a shadow in my left breast. To confirm this, a biopsy was scheduled, and indeed, the biopsy confirmed that I had breast cancer.

I consider myself fortunate because we caught it early, and there was no involvement of lymph nodes. Following the biopsy, I underwent a surgical lumpectomy. The subsequent weeks were marked by radiation treatment, which unfortunately resulted in second-degree burns on my left breast. The pain during those weeks was quite intense, but I persevered. I knew I had to survive for the sake of my three young children.

As a result of the treatment, my left breast is now distorted and smaller, but I’ve come to accept it. I’m grateful for each day I wake up, knowing I have another opportunity to lead a healthy life.

I now make it a point to have my mammograms annually, and tomorrow is my next appointment. I always feel a bit anxious, hoping they won’t find anything, and I pray for negative results. Please keep me in your prayers too.

I urge you to be proactive about your own health. Follow your physician’s recommendations and get regular mammograms. The CDC and the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommend screening every other year from ages 40 to 74.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the United States. Familiarize yourself with the warning signs, which can include:

  • A new lump in the breast or underarm
  • Thickening or swelling in part of the breast
  • Irritation or dimpling of breast skin
  • Redness or flaky skin around the nipple area or on the breast
  • Nipple discharge that isn’t breast milk, including blood
  • Nipple changes such as pulling in or pain
  • Any changes in the size of the nipple or breast
  • Pain in any area of the breast

However, like me, you might not experience any symptoms at all. So, please, be proactive and schedule a mammogram when the time comes. Your health is worth it.

Debbie Moore-Black is a nurse who blogs at Do Not Resuscitate.

Prev

Insights into the gastroenterology workforce [PODCAST]

October 23, 2023 Kevin 0
…
Next

Rethinking U.S. opioid policy

October 24, 2023 Kevin 1
…

Tagged as: Oncology/Hematology

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Insights into the gastroenterology workforce [PODCAST]
Next Post >
Rethinking U.S. opioid policy

ADVERTISEMENT

More by Debbie Moore-Black, RN

  • What money can’t fix: the scars left by a friend

    Debbie Moore-Black, RN
  • A retired ICU nurse’s brunch conversation sparks a life-changing moment

    Debbie Moore-Black, RN
  • Wisdom for new nurses: lessons from a 30-year ICU veteran

    Debbie Moore-Black, RN

Related Posts

  • When breast cancer screening guidelines conflict: Some patients face real consequences

    Leda Dederich
  • “System-ness”: the key to successful health care transformation

    Robert Pearl, MD
  • Timely treatment decisions: the promise of surrogate markers

    Layla Parast, PhD
  • Is social media a friend or foe of science?

    Michael Joyce, MD
  • Cancer of the future: diagnosis, treatment, and impact on the health care system and patients

    Eugene Chan, MD
  • Questions about pharma pricing and marketing

    Martha Rosenberg

More in Conditions

  • Who are you outside of the white coat?

    Annia Raja, PhD
  • How hospitals can prepare for CMS’s new patient safety rule

    Kim Adelman, PhD
  • The humanity we bring: a call to hold space in medicine

    Kathleen Muldoon, PhD
  • The truth about fat in whole milk and your health

    Larry Kaskel, MD
  • Why primary care needs better dermatology training

    Alex Siauw
  • Protecting what matters most: Guarding our NP licenses with integrity

    Lynn McComas, DNP, ANP-C
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Why pain doctors face unfair scrutiny and harsh penalties in California

      Kayvan Haddadan, MD | Physician
    • Love, birds, and fries: a story of innocence and connection

      Dr. Damane Zehra | Physician
    • How a doctor defied a hurricane to save a life

      Dharam Persaud-Sharma, MD, PhD | Physician
    • Why primary care needs better dermatology training

      Alex Siauw | Conditions
    • Why physician strikes are a form of hospice

      Patrick Hudson, MD | Physician
    • The overlooked power of billing in primary care

      Jerina Gani, MD, MPH | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why transgender health care needs urgent reform and inclusive practices

      Angela Rodriguez, MD | Conditions
    • COVID-19 was real: a doctor’s frontline account

      Randall S. Fong, MD | Conditions
    • Why primary care doctors are drowning in debt despite saving lives

      John Wei, MD | Physician
    • Confessions of a lipidologist in recovery: the infection we’ve ignored for 40 years

      Larry Kaskel, MD | Conditions
    • Why taxing remittances harms families and global health care

      Dalia Saha, MD | Finance
    • mRNA post vaccination syndrome: Is it real?

      Harry Oken, MD | Conditions
  • Recent Posts

    • This isn’t burnout, it’s moral injury [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Why heart and brain must work together for love

      Felicia Cummings, MD | Physician
    • Who are you outside of the white coat?

      Annia Raja, PhD | Conditions
    • How hospitals can prepare for CMS’s new patient safety rule

      Kim Adelman, PhD | Conditions
    • Physician practice ownership: risks, rewards, and reality

      Paul Morton, CFP | Finance
    • How peer support can save physician lives [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

Leave a Comment

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Why pain doctors face unfair scrutiny and harsh penalties in California

      Kayvan Haddadan, MD | Physician
    • Love, birds, and fries: a story of innocence and connection

      Dr. Damane Zehra | Physician
    • How a doctor defied a hurricane to save a life

      Dharam Persaud-Sharma, MD, PhD | Physician
    • Why primary care needs better dermatology training

      Alex Siauw | Conditions
    • Why physician strikes are a form of hospice

      Patrick Hudson, MD | Physician
    • The overlooked power of billing in primary care

      Jerina Gani, MD, MPH | Physician
  • Past 6 Months

    • Why transgender health care needs urgent reform and inclusive practices

      Angela Rodriguez, MD | Conditions
    • COVID-19 was real: a doctor’s frontline account

      Randall S. Fong, MD | Conditions
    • Why primary care doctors are drowning in debt despite saving lives

      John Wei, MD | Physician
    • Confessions of a lipidologist in recovery: the infection we’ve ignored for 40 years

      Larry Kaskel, MD | Conditions
    • Why taxing remittances harms families and global health care

      Dalia Saha, MD | Finance
    • mRNA post vaccination syndrome: Is it real?

      Harry Oken, MD | Conditions
  • Recent Posts

    • This isn’t burnout, it’s moral injury [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Why heart and brain must work together for love

      Felicia Cummings, MD | Physician
    • Who are you outside of the white coat?

      Annia Raja, PhD | Conditions
    • How hospitals can prepare for CMS’s new patient safety rule

      Kim Adelman, PhD | Conditions
    • Physician practice ownership: risks, rewards, and reality

      Paul Morton, CFP | Finance
    • How peer support can save physician lives [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Leave a Comment

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...