Philips Healthcare Breast Cancer Awareness Initiative

The following is a very important guest post from my friend, Janine:

Hurry up and wait.

That is what it feels like when someone ‘sees something’ on a mammogram picture. Hurry to book another appointment. Then wait for the results.

It can be agonizing – especially when it leads to more tests, more waiting, more results.

Recently, I myself had a questionable mammogram, which lead to a biopsy, and then a breast sonogram. Deep down I knew I was working towards confirmation that all was ok. I’m lucky I received that confirmation. About 1.4 million women every year are not that lucky.

Waiting, fear of the unknown, and fear of hearing bad news is one reason many women put off getting a mammogram. There are other reasons too. They think it will hurt (it IS uncomfortable but I wouldn’t say it hurts). They are worried about the radiation. They think, “Breast cancer doesn’t run in my family.” And finally, possibly the worst excuse of all, they don’t have the time.

It’s good to know there are companies like Philips working hard not just to promote Breast Cancer awareness and the importance of early detection, but they are trying to make the mammography process something that is not painful, that can give quick answers, and that is not to be feared.

The Philips MicroDose Mammography delivers high quality images with 18% – 50% lower radiation, and has an ergonomic design with a curved, warmed breast support.  This means women can get results faster, with less exposure to radiation, and a more comfortable process.

The only excuse left is that you don’t have time.   But you do. You have time to take care of yourself.

A few other facts to consider

• Mammography is still the most effective method of early detection. Studies show that mammograms can spot tumors up to three years before they might be detectable by feel, greatly improving the prognosis.
• When detected early, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer is 98 percent
• Mammograms can spot tumors up to two years before you can feel them. Or that when detected early, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer is 98 percent (American Cancer Society)
• Despite these facts – only half of U.S. women ages 40 and older got an annual mammogram last year (Medco Health Solutions Inc.)

Celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness month by scheduling your next mammogram, encouraging the women in your life to do the same, and by visiting one of several landmarks around the country that Phillips will be illuminating in pink through October. Take your photo at an illumination and tag @PhilipsHealth using #PhilipsBCA #PINK. For a list of illumination locations visit .

Disclosure: this post is sponsored by Philips Healthcare. All opinions and personal accounts are my own.

Janine Nickel blogs about raising twins at TwoferMom.com and you can follow her on Twitter @JanineNickel