Rising incidence in women in their 20s and 30s, according to research. To mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, I am delighted to point you to this amazing photo essay by Dense Breasts Canada and award-winning photographer Hilary Gauld. NOT TOO YOUNG portrays the stories of 10 young women told they were too young for breast cancer. …
Breast Health
The FDA Now Requires Women Be Informed About their Breast Density – So Now What?
As of September 10, 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that all mammogram reports sent to patients must include breast density, which should be described as either “not dense” or “dense.” If your breast tissue is not dense, the report will say, “Breast tissue can be either dense or not dense. Broader …
Breast Cancer Doctors I Follow, Respect and Admire
The breast cancer journey is complicated and emotionally fraught. It thrusts you into a new and terrifying world you never considered, let alone thought would happen to you. This is completely foreign territory — including the terminology your breast cancer doctors are using. It’s hard to think and process what you are being told, let alone …
Exploring the Concept of Post-Traumatic Growth
Just like the progression through stages of grief. Everyone’s response to trauma is different. Some remain stuck, and struggle to move on. Others use that trauma as a catalyst for change. For the latter, it’s not called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but rather, post-traumatic stress growth (PTSG). The phenomenon of PTSG was identified by psychologists …
Busting Some Myths About Mammograms
I believe that mammograms are lifesaving tools in the fight against breast cancer. I have always been proactive about my health and participate in screening that is available to me, including regular mammograms and pap smears. Please note that breast cancer screening guidelines in the US and many provinces in Canada is changing, with the …