Stories
Erin’s Story
Erin, approaching 40, asked her GP about screening and even thought she lived in PEI, a province where women can self-refer at 40, her GP did not recommend it. Right after her 40th birthday her husband felt the lump. I asked my GP, “At what point do I start screening for breast cancer?” I was…
Read MoreHannah’s Story
Hannah had symptoms of breast cancer but stopped asking for imaging because she was continuously dismissed. I was 27 years old, studying abroad in Hong Kong, and living on campus. My alma mater was back home in the Netherlands. I felt a lump and ignored it at first, until I felt it again three months…
Read MoreKelly’s Story
Kelly knew she could self-refer for a mammogram at 40 in PEI. Booking that mammogram may have saved her life. About 6 months ago, at the age of 41, I went for my very first mammogram. I live in Prince Edward Island and had heard about the PEI Breast Screening Program available to any woman…
Read MoreNatalie’s Story
Denied a mammogram in her 40s, Natalie found a lump at 46, and it was already Stage 4 breast cancer. In February 2019, I found a small lump – the size of a split pea – in my breast. I wasn’t particularly worried as I was only 46, which doesn’t even qualify me for a…
Read MoreSianne’s Story
Told she was too young when she asked for a mammogram in her 40s, Sianne’s undiagnosed cancer kept spreading. My name is Sianne. I’m 45 and I never thought that at this age I would be using a wheelchair and a walker. My troubles started on a family trip to Walt Disney World in November…
Read MoreAna’s Story
Ana thought she was too old to have a mammogram at 73, but fortunately she was convinced to get one. Two years ago, I was at home and my daughter came for a visit (with my grandchildren; beautiful boys of 6 and 3 at the time). She stood by the counter as I was preparing…
Read MoreShannon’s Story
Mammograms in her 40s were not on Shannon’s radar at all; her first mammogram led to a diagnosis of Stage 4 breast cancer. My name is Shannon. I am 49 and I have metastatic breast cancer. When I was 47, I noticed a change in my breast. Initially, I wasn’t too concerned about it because…
Read MoreRosilene’s Story
Rosilene could self-refer in her 40s in BC but her doctor, who was following dangerous breast screening guidelines, discouraged her from having a mammogram. She was then diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. Her story: I live in British Columbia. I am German/Brazilian and in Brazil I started to get yearly mammograms at the age…
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