OUR SERVICES ARE FAST, FRIENDLY, KNOWLEDGEABLE AND, OF COURSE, AT NO EXTRA COSTS TO YOU

Colorado Affordable Health

Colorado Affordable Health

Affordable Health Insurance For Individuals, The Self Employed and their Families

T (303)-541-9533
Email: eric@cohealthbrokers.com

Colorado Health Brokers
400 McCaslin Blvd #109 Louisville, CO 80027

Open in Google Maps
CALL ERIC SMITH
303-541-9533
  • About Us
  • Services
  • FAQ’s
  • Glossary
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • GET A QUOTE
  • MAJOR MEDICAL INS.
  • DISCOUNT DENTAL INS.
  • SHORT TERM
  • ACCIDENT INS.
  • TRAVEL INS.
  • HSA
  • APPOINTMENT
  • Home
  • Guest Blogger
  • Breast Cancer Free- Ten Years and Counting! Part I
April 2, 2023

Breast Cancer Free- Ten Years and Counting! Part I

Breast Cancer Free- Ten Years and Counting! Part I

by Eric Smith / Wednesday, 12 October 2011 / Published in Guest Blogger

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Susan G. Komen Denver Race for the Cure occurs the first Sunday in October each year. This year is especially significant for me, as it represents a major milestone for me – 10 years since my diagnosis in 2001 – a milestone I wasn’t sure I would reach when I was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer at the age of 40.

It came as a real shock, given that I had my baseline mammogram the year before, which had not reported any issues. In addition, I had no contributing factors – other than being a woman – that would have put me at risk of Breast Cancer, particularly at such a young age. I had no family history, I exercised for more than an hour every day, I ate a balanced diet, and I had no health issues. In fact, it was only first discovered in an annual medical exam as a palpable (nickel sized and shaped) mass, and neither the Nurse Practitioner nor I were overly concerned about it at the time. I wasn’t actually encouraged to check it out immediately, but I decided that I should anyway, and scheduled a mammogram at the same place that did my baseline mammogram. That mammogram did not show any “interval change” from the baseline mammogram, but they too could feel the disk shaped mass, so they did an ultrasound. That too showed nothing. Again, I was not encouraged to pursue it further, but I called my Doctor’s office, and the nurse said I could see a surgeon for a biopsy. I was still not worried at all, but just didn’t want to ignore it. I saw the surgeon, who scheduled me for an excisional biopsy. That biopsy came back positive for Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma. Further pathology showed additional information about the characteristics of the tumor, and its spread, which helped direct the proper options for treatment.

One thing that hit home in this process is how random cancer really is. I was living under a false sense of security that if I did all the right things, and had no significant contributing factors or behaviors, I was at a near zero risk of Breast Cancer – it was not even a remote concern for me. I realized, after all I experienced and learned, that if it could happen to me, it could happen to anyone at any time.

I am living proof that the messaging and awareness around Breast Cancer gets through – even if it is not at a conscious level. I am certain that I was as persistent as I was, and am alive today as a result of that persistence, because of the awareness that the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the Race for the Cure brought to me over the years, and continues to bring.

0
Tagged under: 10-2011, 2011, Breast Cancer

About Eric Smith

What you can read next

Long-term ticket to a Healthy Skeleton
Understanding Hypothyroidism
Breast Cancer Free-Ten Years and Counting! Part II

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • Time To Get That Health Insurance You’ve Been Talking About

    Since last year, Thanksgiving has a new meaning...
  • Why there are new networks since the ACA

    0...
  • After Open Enrollment under the ACA– What Can You Do Now?

    0...

Categories

  • Accidents
  • Affordable Care Act
  • Applications
  • Child-only
  • Colorado State Initiatives
  • Federal Law Changes and Mandates
  • Guest Blogger
  • Individual Health Insurance
  • Long Term Care
  • Misc
  • Personal Interests
  • Personal Observation
  • Premiums
  • Uncategorized
  • Underwriting
  • Wellness

Tags

9-2011 10-2011 2011 2012 2013 Accidents Adventures Affordable Care Act Baseball Blogging Breast Cancer Colorado State Laws Connect for Health Colorado Federal Mandates Group Health Insurance Denver Health Insurance Companies Hypothyroidism Increases Individual Health Insurance Long Term Care Medical Costs Men Personal Interests Personal Observations premium Rugby Social Media Tobacco Underwriting

FOOTER MENU

  • Get A Quote
  • Home
  • Major Medical Insurance
  • FAQ’s
  • Discount Dental Insurance
  • Glossary
  • Short Term Insurance
  • Boulder, Colorado Health Insurance Services
  • Accident Insurance
  • Contact Us
  • HSA
  • Quote

Recent Posts

  • Time To Get That Health Insurance You’ve Been Talking About

    Since last year, Thanksgiving has a new meaning...

GET IN TOUCH

T (303)-541-9533
Email: eric@cohealthbrokers.com

400 McCaslin Blvd #109
Louisville, CO 80027

Open in Google Maps

  • GET SOCIAL
Colorado Affordable Health

© 2018 CO HEALTH BROKERS.All rights reserved. Website Designed by Hike Branding

TOP