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Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Tests help women become survivors
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I have no immediate family members who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, for which I’m extremely grateful, but I know several people who have battled the disease and won. Fortunately, there are more people like them now than there used to be. In the mid-’70s, the five-year survival rate was 75 percent. That number jumped to 89 percent from 1996 to 2002. The death rate is still too high, but the good news is that advances in treatment are being made every day.
I have worked with some survivors in the past, and I met two more recently (you can find their stories on our index page http://ajc.com/health). I’m often struck by survivors’ strength, courage and determination to not only beat this disease for their own sake but to make sure others do, too.
Until there is a cure for breast cancer, the best thing you can do to combat the disease is get tested when you’re supposed to. Our story tells you how to do that and what to expect from the different exams. http://www.ajc.com/health/content/health/stories/2006/10/17/1018mammogram.html Some of the tests might be uncomfortable for a short time, but the minor pain is worth the effort and the peace of mind you’ll gain.
Are you a survivor? If you could tell women one thing about breast cancer what would it be?
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