October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

By YOLI BELL

The Progress

Too often we, at the local cancer society, continue to hear comments from women over 40 who have never had a mammogram. Comments, such as “It doesn’t run in my family”, “I don’t have time”, “I can’t get off work”, “I’m scared they might find something” to “I hear it’s painful”.

“I am always fine, my Mammograms are always negative, what is the big deal with skipping this year” was my excuse for skipping a Mammogram in January of 2000. I woke several months later and noticed an indentation on my right breast. Almost immediately a mammogram followed. Then, immediately afterwards, an ultrasound and now the doctor’s office – a first ever occurrence that happened all in one day.

At this point I knew something was wrong. The doctor walked in and politely yet bluntly told me I had aggressive breast cancer.
The only response that came out of my mouth was, “Where do we go from here?”

Things moved so fast I felt my head spinning – two surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation then follow-ups for years to come.

I still get 65+ blood tests done every six months and see my oncologist who monitors my monoclonal gammopathy. My life has slowed down tremendously which is hard for me to grasp, because I was one of those people who is like a rubber ball bouncing wherever needed.

The end result of all this was the creation of the Mesquite Cancer HELP Society — a place all cancer patients can visit, eliminating or minimizing their feelings of fear and helplessness, and finding the resources needed to understand and manage their cancer.

More than 22 years later and the cancer society is running at full capacity helping all cancer patients who may simply want to ask questions, seek advice and guidance. We help the many who need financial assistance with something as simply as fuel cost.We also provide help with cancer-related medical bills for chemotherapy, radiation, tests, to getting flown to a specialized cancer hospital to fulfill their special needs. The services provided are countless.

Ladies, PLEASE do not ignore your health. Get that mammogram! The Mammovan comes to our office location every 6 months. If you need a mammogram and cannot afford it, Mesquite Cancer HELP Society will make sure you can get it. The discomfort only lasts a couple of minutes and could mean the difference between a clean result, early detection or something much more serious.

Breast cancer affects men too; they should also check for any unusual changes. Sometimes lumps are not obvious as was the case with me.

Awareness is crucial and does not cost you a cent. For more information, call 702-346-0622 or come by our office at 150 No. Yucca, #36 for personalized attention. Our office volunteers are cancer survivors and/or caregivers of a cancer patient.