It is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month — almost. Actually, October claims that designation, but Luke Davis is writing this column in the October issue, so I thought I’d just get a jump on the crowd and slip in an early reminder to make those yearly appointments, if you haven’t done so already.

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According to the National Cancer Institute’s website, 182,460 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, and of those, 40,480 will die. Using U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimates, this translates into 1,390 diagnoses and 310 deaths in Dallas County in 2008. The good news is the mortality rate is falling across all ages and races. Here’s the key — this decrease is attributable to early screening tests.

I talked with a friend, Julie, an obstetrics-gynecologist, in preparation for this article. The research I had done seemed to point to two major risk factors for breast cancer: being female and growing older. She concurred and referred to breast cancer as a “spontaneous occurrence.” The unpredictable nature of breast cancer is the reason why screening and the resulting early detection is so important.

Chris, my friend and longtime Lake Highlands resident, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. Her story exemplifies the importance of early detection. Chris did everything right. She was healthy. She ate the right foods. She exercised. She went to her annual well woman exams. In August 2006, the doctors found “a suspicious spot” on her right breast. She had a sonogram and watched the aspiration of the spot. The fluid was negative. The spot never went away.

By mid-October, Chris had a thickening in the area of the spot and began to experience sharp pain by the end of October. She went to her doctor. A biopsy was scheduled several days after Thanksgiving. She had a malignant tumor 1.3 centimeters in diameter.

Chris was able to see a breast surgeon Dec. 12 and had both an MRI and a PET scan. By this time, there were two lumps measuring 5.6 centimeters, and the cancer had spread into several lymph nodes. Her cancer was classified as stage IIIC, and surgery was no longer an option. On Dec. 18, her 25th wedding anniversary, the doctors put a port in Chris and started chemotherapy two days later.

After six weeks of intensive chemotherapy, this aggressive cancer was gone, and Chris had options. On April 23, Chris had a bilateral mastectomy, removal of the lymph nodes and a left latissimus flap (reconstructive surgery). After Chris recovered from her surgery, she had six weeks of radiation therapy. In October 2007, Chris had a right latissimus flap.

Now, two years since her journey began, there are no signs of cancer, but Chris continues to struggle with post surgical complications. Chris is quick to say her condition could be so much worse.

“I’m here today, and there are many, many blessings,” she says.

Chris was fortunate to have had the support of her family, especially her husband, Jeff, her friends and the community, and her strong faith. She says this experience has been a real time of personal growth.

“I’m not afraid anymore,” she says. “I’m not afraid of dying, and I’m not afraid of living.”

Chris doesn’t believe her story is very different than others’. Chris has chosen to share what she has learned with others in a support capacity, and she accompanies other women to their doctor appointments. She chooses to share her story because she believes it is imperative that women take responsibility for their own health.

The American Cancer Society recommends annual mammograms for women 40 years and older. Younger women, as well as older, should receive a clinical beast exam as part of their periodic health exam. Breast self exams should be routine for women starting in their 20s.

Be proactive. Know your bodies. Ask questions. Push your doctors if necessary. It could mean your life.