I am a 37 year old woman with 3 children ages 10, 8, and 6. I went to the doctor for a routine exam and discussed having a mammogram because of my sister whom is 36 had had a benign mass removed a month prior. Even though all of my family history for breast cancer is on my father's side, I was luck enough to be seeing a PA. That understood my concern for wanting the exam...after repeat mammo, ultrasound, and biopsy. I was given the diagnosis of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC). The hardest part was knowing that if I had waited until my 40's to have my first mammo, I may not have lived to see my children grow or any grandchildren. I was able to have all talks with my amazing husband who stands beside me with open arms every day, and who supports ever decision. I will have a double mastectomy this week, and start chemo the end of April. God has guided me with every decision that I have had to make, and have a wonderful bunch of friends and family that support me. I am here to say, "I WILL BEAT THIS!" My children are all aware of all the tests and procedures and surgery that will be going on in my fight. They are by far my BIGGEST supporters. They have given me a strength that I never knew that I had. When I am at my worst I pray that they will have the courage to come and love me as they do now, and not be scared of me. I have chosen my way to be the best I can for as long as I can to show my children that you can overcome anything that you are put up against. With love, faith, and loving support you can and will overcome any adversity.

In September 2012, since I had my insurance deductable met I got my mammogram, it had been 3 years since my last one. My doctor called the next day after my mammogram and told me that I needed to have another refined one, that there was a change in the last 3 years. Twenty minutes after I got back to work after the second one my doctor called me again and said I needed to see a surgeon. The surgeon did an ultra sound and he said there was something there so he did a biopsy. About 10 years earlier I had some lumps removed from that breast but they were just cysts so I was hoping for the same results. I went back to the surgeon 5 days later it wasn't what I was hoping for, I had DCIS. Since the mass took up almost half of the breast I needed to have a mastectomy. With a history of breast cancer in my family on both my father's and mother's side I decided to have bilateral mastectomies. I am a very blessed person because it was not in my lymph nodes and the cancer was contained. I did not have to do radiation or chemo. I always did self examinations because my mother had breast cancer but apparently I was not doing it thoroughly because after the mammograms and I knew the area to concentrate on, I could feel the mass. So please everyone get your mammograms!

I was nearly 33 and had unusual pain in my right breast. I caught it early but needed a mastectomy but did not need any other treatment. I was lucky that I had it checked. It has been three years and all is good now. Its not easy to lose a breast and I have been told that I didn't really have actual breast cancer, but it was on it's way if I didn't catch it so early and make the decision I made. I had surgery before the mastectomy but there were still cells. I have 4 children who are 18, 16, and 5 year old twins. No history of this and you need to check every change when you first feel it. Its not nice but it could have been worse. YOU MIGHT BE AS LUCKY AS ME!!!

Two years ago I found a lump. We had no insurance so I began calling every cancer group I could think of. From the FREE mammogram van (its not free) to Komen to ACS. The answer was the same. No insurance, no help. One day the back pain was unbearable. Went to the emergency room. Breast cancer and it had spread everywhere. Everyone one asked why I didnt get help. I was so angry!!!! I told them that every cancer organization turned me away. That day, august 16th, 2012 I found out I have stage 4 breast cancer with metzs to my lymph nodes, bones, liver and lungs. Its is shamful that this country would allow a women to die because every one in the pink ribbon world has a hand out for money. Please explain this to my 15 year old, who will watch her mother die......

My breast cancer started about 11 years ago. I couldn't even put on my seat belt it hurt so bad! I let it go for a while, but then I thought something must be wrong. I worked at Meriter Hospital and knew of a surgeon who was very nice and a good surgeon. I told him about it and he told me to make an appointment. My mother and my sister accompanied me to the doctor visit.

I had a mammogram done, and then an ultra-sound because he couldn't see the lump very well with the mammogram. When he found the lump with the ultra-sound, he came and asked me what I wanted to do. My choices were: mastectomy, or lumpectomy. He said I'd have to have chemotherapy and radiation after that for while. We discussed it briefly and I had decided to go through with the lumpectomy.

I can't remember how many days I was in the hospital.

I re-cooperated at my mothers' house since I lived alone and had too many things to take care of like taking medication and changing dressings and so forth.

I also had lymphnodes removed and that's what the big deal was that I had to stay at my mothers' house. I had to keep an eye on that for bleeding and drainage.

After a few weeks, I was able to go home again and start my new life "cancer free". I've been cancer free now for about 11 years and it feels great to be a live!!! I look at the world with different eyes now. I appreciate life more now! Thank you God for that seat belt hurting.

i am almost two years cancer free! thanks to the health deparments that help with mamograms! i lost both of my breasts at the age of 40!

Hi my name is Mary. I was diagnosed with interductal carcenoma in Sept 1988. I was shocked since breast cancer in my family does not exist. Me and my sister had the Braca test taken and both of us do not carry the gene. I too went through 8 byopsies (all cancer). It was in my milk ducts and in every cell of my breasts so far down that it was actually into my breast bone, so nothing of my breasts could be saved. So double mastectomy was the answer, along with taking out about 20 something lymh nodes, I was informed it had started to travel and it was already in 2 of them which meant over a year of chemo and also reconstruction surgery, which took 4 different operations in one year, Anyhow, good news is I am still here and May 29, 2013 will be my 4th year since the last day of my chemo!!. But my story is a little different, I don't consider myself a hero, I am one of the lucky survivors the real hero is my "younger" sister Stella. She was there with me the whole time through thick and thin. She was at every chemo, every doctors appt, every operation and I had to live with her since I could not take care of myself. She took such good care of me, I did not loose 1 pound!! Without her dedication and her support I don't think I would have ever made it. So thank you my Sister Stella Santaromita, I am so proud of you :) love u so much your sister Mary xoxox And congratulations and long life to all going through this now and for all those survivors out there. (Please excuse the spelling for some reason I could not do spelling check)

I don't think you really recover from this surgery, it has left me feeling very sad, I miss my (breast)!

Cancer has no family, no friends, no soul and no love.

Cancer has interrupted my life, but it will not define it and certainly will not take it.

Cancer has slowed me down, but it will not stop me.

Cancer has given me the chance to find myself in my childrens' eyes and be the mother I was meant to be but was to busy to be.

Cancer has shown me what true friendship is and what "in sickness and in health" really means.

I do not hate this cancer that has momentarily stolen my days.

I do not even fear it, and I don't want any of you to either, at least not on my behalf.

Because, unlike cancer, I DO have family, friends, love and God; and I need nothing more now or ever....

Twelve years ago at age 58 I was diagnosed with early stage cancer, followed by a lumpectomy and radiation treatment. It changed my life, for as with many others who have undergone trauma, I no longer was willing to put off doing things that were important to me, but which had gotten derailed in the midst of every day living. I started studying to be a personal trainer, specializing in seniors and special populations (breast cancer recovery, diabetes, Parkinsons, etc.). I take pleasure in the small but important activities of life: family, friends, gardening, reading, art. In addition, I retired from my office job and now take great pleasure teaching senior fitness pretty much full time. I also started pursuing a second career in art.

Life couldn't be more fulfilling. I work daily with people who bring joy and enthusiasm to my life, as I hope I do for them, and spend my spare time creating art. Though I was thrown by the cancer experience, it opened a new way of life for me, and for that I am thankful.