I had my annual mammogram this morning.
My mother died of breast cancer. She had “a bruise on her breast that wouldn’t heal,” and she didn’t go to the gynecologist. In fact, she hadn’t gone since she had given birth to my brother, which at that point was over 20 years. I don’t even know if she had a mammogram prior to being diagnosed. My father blames himself for this to this day; however, my mother was very stubborn so there wasn’t much he could’ve done about it. I was robbed of my mother when I turned thirty. I had left home permanently at 17, and I never saw her again. My children grew up without a grandmother.
Women ages 40 to 44 should have the choice to start annual breast cancer screening with mammograms (x-rays of the breast) if they wish to do so. Women age 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year. Women 55 and older should switch to mammograms every 2 years, or can continue yearly screening.
American Cancer Society Screening Guidelines
If you are a transgender woman undergoing hormonal therapy, you may carry an increased risk of breast cancer compared with cisgender men. If you are a transgender man, depending on your particular stage and case, you may have a higher baseline risk than both trans women and cisgender men. Learn more. Here is a link to guidelines for transgender breast screening. Please discuss this with your medical professional and please read the linked articles so you can effectively advocate for your health.
My appointment took 20 minutes, 15 of which was waiting. Don’t be my mother.
Now the waiting for results will begin.
