Nothing to do with RE, But may Save a Life.

A few months ago, there was a suspicious finding on my mammogram. After a biopsy, I was relieved to find out that I am healthy. It's a very frightening process to go from discovery to results. My breast surgeon talked to me at great lengths to inform me of the latest tests available to detect cancer cells.

Many women do not know that there is a Pap test for breasts. It is called HALO. My doctor, Fredrick Walker, is the only doctor in Harford County currently offering this test. Insurance companies are not paying the $75 for the test, but some are paying for the pathology of the sample retrieved. HALO looks like a dual breast pump. It extracts fluids from the breast which can then be tested for cancer cells.

Why should women do this on top of mammograms? HALO is a 5 minute test that can detect cancer cells years before a lump can be found.

Here are the facts:

• Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women ages 35 to 50.

• 250,000 U.S. women living with breast cancer are under the age of 40.

• 8 out of 9 diagnosed women have NO family history of the disease.

• When found early, the 5 year survival rate is nearly 100%.

Early detection is vital. I put off my mammogram for months thinking 'I'm only 38, what are the chances? A base line can be done when I'm 40'. When the real reason was that it's uncomfortable, time consuming, and scary.

I learned my lesson:  I'd rather know than not know, a few months can make a difference.