I'm a breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed in November 1997, had a mastectomy and reconstruction in 1998-2001 (9! surgeries!), was on Tamoxifen and then Arimidex for a total of 5 years and now I'm considered cancer free. I did have a scare in July 2003 and had to have a biopsy in my remaining breast which turn out to be benign. I get mammograms once a year and do self-exams regularly (at least once a month). Ladies, please check yourselves! Mammograms don't find everything.

I had had a clear mammogran in June 1997 and found the lump myself in August 1997. The doctors pooh-poohed my fears and told me it would "go away." I knew different and had to pressure them into biopsying the lump. Turned out I had four tumors. They tried lumpectomies - after two tries and still no clear margins on the tumors, they wanted to go in a third time. That is when I put my foot down and said no, they'd caused enough disfigurement by that time and I had also developed lympedema (swelling of the arm post- lymph node dissection). That is when I decided to go for the mastectomy with reconstruction. I have never regretted my decision, as during all my surgeries I also got a boob lift on my remaining breast so I'm nice 'n perky.