2008 Woodie Awards
In touch with awareness
Ashley Fairbanks
Issue date: 10/19/06 Section: Lifestyles
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Breast self-examinations and mammograms can be uncomfortable, but they are not nearly as uncomfortable as losing a loved one. Kristen St. Clair, Garden City, knows this pain all too well.
"My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to undergo strong treatment," St. Clair said. "Even with all the treatment, five years later she was told that the cancer had gone to her liver and bones and there wasn't much they could do."
St. Clair's mother, Shari, passed away five days before Christmas last year. St. Clair, 19, said that although doctor's told her she didn't need to undergo examinations until she was 35, she elected to have her first mammogram last year.
"No one should have to suffer the way my mom did," St. Clair said. "It's important to catch it early so that more can be done."
Early detection can save lives. Regular self-examinations are an important factor in learning what is normal so it is easier to detect an abnormality.
"A breast self-examination is simple and should be done once a month," Vickie Owston, a mammographer at St. Catherine Hospital, said.
The American Cancer Society recommends that self-examinations be performed in the shower each month immediately following menstruation. Begin by raising one arm and feeling from the armpit, down around the bottom of the breast. Repeat on the other side.
"You should start getting yearly mammograms once you reach your mid-thirties," Owston said.
Mammograms consist of two X-ray pictures of the breast, one of the front and one of the sides. The X-rays are taken with a special machine that uses only a small amount of radiation. The breasts are placed between two plastic plates to get a clear picture. It only takes approximately 15 minutes.
"Personally, I have never felt any pain while getting a mammogram, but some do say it hurts," Janice Nunn, student health nurse, said.
Since 1985, October has been recognized as the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and various organizations sponsor events to increase awareness of breast cancer issues, especially the importance of early detection.
"My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to undergo strong treatment," St. Clair said. "Even with all the treatment, five years later she was told that the cancer had gone to her liver and bones and there wasn't much they could do."
St. Clair's mother, Shari, passed away five days before Christmas last year. St. Clair, 19, said that although doctor's told her she didn't need to undergo examinations until she was 35, she elected to have her first mammogram last year.
"No one should have to suffer the way my mom did," St. Clair said. "It's important to catch it early so that more can be done."
Early detection can save lives. Regular self-examinations are an important factor in learning what is normal so it is easier to detect an abnormality.
"A breast self-examination is simple and should be done once a month," Vickie Owston, a mammographer at St. Catherine Hospital, said.
The American Cancer Society recommends that self-examinations be performed in the shower each month immediately following menstruation. Begin by raising one arm and feeling from the armpit, down around the bottom of the breast. Repeat on the other side.
"You should start getting yearly mammograms once you reach your mid-thirties," Owston said.
Mammograms consist of two X-ray pictures of the breast, one of the front and one of the sides. The X-rays are taken with a special machine that uses only a small amount of radiation. The breasts are placed between two plastic plates to get a clear picture. It only takes approximately 15 minutes.
"Personally, I have never felt any pain while getting a mammogram, but some do say it hurts," Janice Nunn, student health nurse, said.
Since 1985, October has been recognized as the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and various organizations sponsor events to increase awareness of breast cancer issues, especially the importance of early detection.
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