A friend sent me this image yesterday, with the message, “From her cute lips to God’s ear.”

I smiled and sent the e-mail on to my writing partner, Leslie. But last night, as I fell asleep, I thought about the e-mail’s real message.

I asked myself, “Why do we keep looking for “Cures” in our various “wars against (name of disease here)?”

Of course we want to heal and save our moms, grandmothers, sisters and daughters from Breast Cancer, but what are we doing as a society to PREVENT Breast Cancer in the first place?

I realize that we have learned much of what to avoid, and what to embrace to remain Cancer free from the all of the past and current Cancer research. I am grateful for that research and to those who contributed ‘time, talent and treasure’ to vanquish a disease that has taken so many of our beloveds.

Maybe I’m just ready to think about the issue differently…ready to switch the problem around 180 and look at the situation as an opportunity for change. What if we women were able to refocus our intention from being ‘at war’ with a deadly enemy, to being ‘in harmony’ with our body and our planet?

Just maybe, by living in peaceful accord with our feminine cycle, and all the other natural cycles of Mother Earth, our bodies would find the balance to heal. Perhaps living in synchronicity with nature would prevent illness? I don’t know, but living in alignment with your natural cycle can’t hurt, and being at war with Mother Nature has proven to be a failed strategy.

I vote for a peaceful, gentle approach to appreciating the wonder of the female cycle and just maybe we could reach that state of balance before our little lady “Grows Boobs”.

Think of just one thing you can do for your self to live within your feminine cycle.

Just one, it is a start.

Live gently on this earth and treat your body with love and understanding.

Be as kind to your self as you are to others.

Love yourself and appreciate the miracle of your body, mind and spirit. Laugh, feel your inner joy, if only for a moment, it is a start.

I would love to credit the creative team who developed this thought-provoking image, but the e-mail did not include a credit line. If some one knows, please let me know so I can thank them for their creativity in my Blog.

My best hope for the little girl in the photo that she grows up with healthy boobs, a vibrantly healthy body and the spirit to be an Inconvenient Woman.

©2012 An Inconvenient Woman. All Rights Reserved.

Please take the time to visit the Sister Study web site.

The Sister Study is the only long-term study of women aged 35-74 whose sister had breast cancer.  It is a national study to learn how environment and genes affect the chances of getting breast cancer.  A total of 50,000 women will join the effort to find the causes of breast cancer

WHO CAN JOIN THE SISTER STUDY?

You may be eligible to join the Sister Study if —

• Your sister, related to you by blood, had breast cancer.
• You are between the ages of 35 and 74.
• You have never had breast cancer yourself.
• You are a woman living in the U.S. or Puerto Rico.

SISTERS ARE STILL NEEDED!

As we approach our goal of enrolling 50,000 diverse sisters, we want to make sure that groups not yet as well represented among participants have an opportunity to join. Unfortunately, this means turning away some women who are already very well represented in the study group. Caucasian women ages 35-64 with more than a high school degree will no longer be able to enroll, but can help the Sister Study in other ways.  This group is now very well represented among our current participants

We still need women from the following groups to enroll in the Sister Study:

• African Americans, Latinas, Asians and Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans between ages 35-74
• Caucasian women between the ages of 65-74 or with a high school degree or les

CAN YOU JOIN NOW?

If you need help determining whether you can join at this time, please call our toll free number 1-877-4SISTER or CLICK HERE to answer the screening questions at the Sister Study web site.

You can be a part of this landmark research effort to find the causes of breast cancer.

Join the Sister Study for your daughters, nieces,

granddaughters, and future generations!

Visit the Sister Study Homepage

©2012 An Inconvenient Woman. All Rights Reserved.

A mammogram is a safe, low-dose x-ray picture of the breast. It is currently the most effective method of detecting breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages.

Why should I have a mammogram?

A mammogram can find breast cancer that is too small to be seen or felt. If breast cancer is found early on a mammogram, it can be treated early when it is easiest to cure. In some cases, finding a breast lump early may mean that a patient can choose surgery to save her breast. Early detection also may mean that chemotherapy is unnecessary.

How is a mammogram done?

When you have a mammogram, you stand in front of a special x-ray machine. The radiologic technologist lifts each breast and places it on a platform that holds the x-ray film. The breast is then gradually pressed against the platform by a specially designed, clear plastic plate. Some pressure is applied for a few seconds to make sure the x-rays show as much of the breast as possible. This pressure is not harmful to your breast. Studies show that most women do not find a mammogram exam painful for the short time needed to take the picture.

Should women be concerned about radiation dose during mammography?

No. The risk of harm from radiation is very small when compared to the benefits of early breast cancer detection. MQSA has established a maximum radiation dose limit that is considered to be safe. There have been such improvements in mammography that women receive 50 times less radiation than they received 20 years ago, with the risk of long-term effects being almost zero.

What is a screening mammogram?

A screening mammogram is a quick, easy way to detect breast cancer early when treatment is more effective and survival is high. It is a x-ray of the breast that doctors use to look for breast changes in women with no symptoms of breast cancer. Usually, two x-ray pictures are taken of each breast. A physician trained to read the mammograms examines them later. Screening for breast cancer is best achieved by including both mammography and a clinical breast examination in the screening process.

What is a diagnostic mammography exam?

A doctor uses a diagnostic mammogram to help learn the cause of a woman’s breast problems such as a breast mass, skin changes, or nipple discharge. Diagnostic mammography takes a little longer than screening mammography because more x-rays are taken. A qualified physician may check the mammograms while you wait.

Notification of Mammography Exam Results

How will a patient get the results of her mammogram?

Her mammography facility must provide her with a written report of the results of the exam. The results can be handed to her at the time of the exam, or mailed to her within 30 days after the exam. The report must be in words she can easily understand. Her doctor will be sent a copy of the more technical version of the exam results.

How will patients who do not have a doctor get their results?

Her mammography facility will provide her with the patient’s version of the results and a copy of the technical report within 30 days of the exam. If necessary, the facility personnel will refer her to a doctor.

What should a patient do if she does not receive her written results within 30 days?

If she does not receive her results within 30 days, she should call the mammography facility or her doctor, and ask for the results of the exam. This is very important. The results of most mammograms are “normal” – but the patient should not assume the mammogram is normal if she does not receive her results!

Are there special considerations for reporting results when they are “suspicious” or “highly suggestive of a malignancy”?

Yes. In these cases, the facility is expected to contact the patient as soon as possible. Although it is impossible to establish a precise time frame, it is expected that such communication could ordinarily be accomplished within five business days. Some facilities may discuss the results with the patient following the exam, or contact her by phone. Even if the results are given to the patient verbally, she should receive a written notification within 30 days.

©2012 An Inconvenient Woman. All Rights Reserved.