End of Year Thoughts...
In my final blog of 2006, I want to remind women over 40 to do what I did just a few days ago - get a Mammogram. I went with my Buddy, my mother Ethel Roane, for our annual check up at Sibley Hospital.
A special thanks to our nurse/technologists Pamela & Sarah and especially to Dr. Rebecca Zuurbier, who gave us the good news that everything was fine.
But as we've told you in 13-years of Buddy Check 9 reports, a good check-up today is no guarantee you are cancer free, even a few weeks later. Just check out our October Buddy report on Nancy Carter Foster. She had a mammogram in December of last year but found her lump in March.
While mammography is an excellent way to find most breast cancers at their earliest and most curable stage, it does not detect all breast cancers. It is not 100% accurate. The chance that a mammogram will not show a lump in women in their 30's is 9-20%. The chances it will not show a lump are about 15% in older women. Newer techniques may help make mammography more accurate, but all the experts insist that mammograms remain the gold standard. That's why it's also important to be vigilant about doing monthly breast self exams and to schedule a clinical exam of the breast by a doctor or nurse practitioner. And if there is a family history of breast cancer, you may want to seek genetic counseling.
Finally, I want to thank all of the women and men who've allowed me to share their stories of hope after a cancer diagnosis. I have received awards for my Buddy Check 9 reports, but you are the real lifesavers.
We can't forget those who lost their fight like the beautiful Jenny Chang. In our profile of Jenny, the group Brides Against Breast Cancer granted her wish for a traditional Chinese wedding reception after her marriage to Dom. I was thrilled to share in that event. The room was filled with so much love and hope and the food was endless. Jenny died a few months ago, but her life was still a source of inspiration especially for young women who may not know their cancer risk.
Next year, our first Buddy Check 9 report of 2007 will look at a new test to check for breast cancer before it even exists. So watch this site for more information on that.
Finally, you have made my 25th year at Channel 9 so rewarding; I can’t thank you enough. I wish you and your loved ones the best of the holiday season, continued good health and a very Happy New Year!!!
A special thanks to our nurse/technologists Pamela & Sarah and especially to Dr. Rebecca Zuurbier, who gave us the good news that everything was fine.
But as we've told you in 13-years of Buddy Check 9 reports, a good check-up today is no guarantee you are cancer free, even a few weeks later. Just check out our October Buddy report on Nancy Carter Foster. She had a mammogram in December of last year but found her lump in March.
While mammography is an excellent way to find most breast cancers at their earliest and most curable stage, it does not detect all breast cancers. It is not 100% accurate. The chance that a mammogram will not show a lump in women in their 30's is 9-20%. The chances it will not show a lump are about 15% in older women. Newer techniques may help make mammography more accurate, but all the experts insist that mammograms remain the gold standard. That's why it's also important to be vigilant about doing monthly breast self exams and to schedule a clinical exam of the breast by a doctor or nurse practitioner. And if there is a family history of breast cancer, you may want to seek genetic counseling.
Finally, I want to thank all of the women and men who've allowed me to share their stories of hope after a cancer diagnosis. I have received awards for my Buddy Check 9 reports, but you are the real lifesavers.
We can't forget those who lost their fight like the beautiful Jenny Chang. In our profile of Jenny, the group Brides Against Breast Cancer granted her wish for a traditional Chinese wedding reception after her marriage to Dom. I was thrilled to share in that event. The room was filled with so much love and hope and the food was endless. Jenny died a few months ago, but her life was still a source of inspiration especially for young women who may not know their cancer risk.
Next year, our first Buddy Check 9 report of 2007 will look at a new test to check for breast cancer before it even exists. So watch this site for more information on that.
Finally, you have made my 25th year at Channel 9 so rewarding; I can’t thank you enough. I wish you and your loved ones the best of the holiday season, continued good health and a very Happy New Year!!!
posted by 9NEWS NOW Blog @ 2:14 AM
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