WomenCo.

My mom's twin sister died April 17, 2007 from breast cancer. She fought for seven years but eventually the cancer was too strong for her to battle. She NEVER had a mammogram or even went to the doctor, although my mother begged her each year to go. She would be here today if she just went for a yearly physical. I know it is an unpleasant thing to go the the OB/GYN each year, but it really does save lives. It is so sad because she was an incredible person whose life was cut short due to her stubborness, saying she was too busy to have a check-up.

I don't know if you saw the Today show this week, but Olivia Newton-John was on the show on Monday and she explained how she found the lump in her breast herself and although tests did not show anything, she insisted that it was there and it was finally found. She is okay now and it is totally due to her perisistence.

Everyone needs to spread the word about self breast exams, going to the doctor for exams and having mammograms.

Thank you for the information. Aggreed - doing a self exam is so easy and does not take much time but that simple act can change lives if done more often. I wish it were mandatory.

Monthly self-breast exams and annual physicals are important. They give us the chance to catch something before it becomes serious.