make a mammogram promise

I can think of very few preventative measures that are more important than mammograms. As a Family Medicine physician for over 30 years, I have seen many lives saved because of the timely detection of breast cancer. Mammography is our most important tool for early detection.

"I am not a doctor, but I am a breast cancer survivor, and I urge all Washington women to do what I have done. Learn about the disease. Get regular check-ups. Be aware."

"I'm not worried about being diagnosed with breast cancer, but I do worry about being diagnosed with late stage breast cancer. Having a mammogram is the best way I can reduce that risk--and worry less."

Getting a mammogram is one of the most important birthday gifts you can give yourself when you turn 40. I get one every year as part of my annual check up; it's quick, easy and gives me great peace of mind that everything is ok. And making my health a priority sets a good example for my 12 year old daughter and all the fantastic women in my life.

"There's no doubt early detection is why my Mom is a 16 year survivor. If you can't afford an annual mammogram, there are programs that will help pay for them. Give yourself a fighting chance!"

"Early detection is critical to surviving breast cancer, and that is why I support campaigns like ‘Make a Mammogram Promise’ that encourage women to make a strong commitment to their health. I am working hard to increase federal funding for screening, treating and ultimately curing this terrible disease, and I encourage women across Washington state to join the effort to save lives."

This October marks my 17th year as a survivor of breast cancer, which was discovered with a routine annual mammogram. As a physician, I knew the importance of screening mammograms and I credit that mammogram with saving my life. Please, please don't let anything stand in the way of you getting your mammogram.

As someone who was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer before the age of 40 (with no family history)--I wish that I had had the chance to catch my cancer earlier. Be good to yourself and get that mammogram and be aware of changes on breast self-exam!

"I support any program that gives women information about their bodies and their health. As women, we often put taking care of ourselves last--forgetting that this is the very key to healthy families, friendships, careers, and our own futures."

Quite a few of my friends have experienced breast cancer. They are still here today as friends because of early detection. Make a Mammogram Promise to keep your friends.

"A mammogram is so important to me that I have just made it part of my yearly check-up. I schedule it at the same time I make my appointment for my physical, so I always remember it."

"One of my best buddies, Michelle Millman, is battling breast cancer now and is telling every woman she sees to do their self-exams and get their mammograms regularly. She’s even telling men to tell their wives; not embarrassed at all to talk specifics. As Michelle faces the fight of her life, she’s thinking of saving others. I’m inspired by her. Listen to Michelle Millman: do your self-exams and get your mammograms regularly. Fight the fight, Michelle! Love ya, pal!"

Two years ago I began the fight of my life when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. If there's anything I know for sure after going through treatment and talking with doctors it's that early detection saves lives. Mammograms save lives. The greatest thing I hear from friends and even strangers is, "because of you I just got my first mammo!" Keep it up ladies. Until we find a cure, let's catch it early!

As a provider of primary care, I see first hand on a near daily basis how screening saves lives, and unfortunately also how a lack of or inconsistent screening leads to later, more advanced diagnoses of breast cancer. I made a Mammogram Promise to do what I can outside the office to make sure my friends, family, and other loved ones who are due for screening to get their screening. Ladies, log on to make a promise, don't put it off!!!!

As an "older" mom, I want to make sure I'm around to raise my daughters and see my grandchildren. Having regular mammograms is one of the easiest ways to a proactively address a common health risk that all women face. There's really no excuse for avoiding it!

"Getting a mammogram yearly is the best way to take care of you, so you can continue to care for the ones you love."

I discovered a lump in my left breast in 2002. It was not visible on mammogram. A fine needle biopsy confirmed a cancer diagnosis. I had a lumpectomy and later a mastectomy. I continued to have regular mammograms. In 2010 I had an unusual lump on my left chest wall. I was sent for an MRI of my breasts. The left chest wall was an insignificant cyst but the MRI showed a very concerning mass in my right breast. I ended up with a second cancer diagnosis and another mastectomy. Get your mammogram!

"It's estimated that breast cancer will affect 1 in 8 U.S. women -- we're all at risk! Some breast cancer risk factors, such as our family history, we can't control. But there are risk factors we can control -- like physical activity, weight, and diet. We can also control whether we get regular screening with mammograms. Clinical trials have proven that mammograms save lives, by finding cancer early, when it's most curable. All of us should take control and get our mammograms."

I just got the notice from my doctor that I am due for my annual mammogram check-up! Ladies - we must be vigilant about our health. WE are our best advocate! I am making my appointment today! Don't put it off, make yours today, too.

"I’m making the promise to have my yearly mammogram, because early detection is key. I lost my mother and my grandmother to cancer. I don’t want my son and daughter saying the same thing. I’m fortunate that my mammograms have given me peace of mind, with the confirmation that I’m cancer free. But if the test ever detects a problem, I’ll be all the more grateful I took the time to get checked. Mammograms are quick, easy and vital."

"I feel it's so important to take charge of my health. A mammogram is a significant, important, and EASY step to take. A simple test that could help save my life."

"When it comes to mammograms, I must borrow from Frederick W. Cropp who said, “There is much in the world to make us afraid. There is much more in our faith to make us unafraid.” Don’t be afraid of a mammogram; get it done, it’s a temporary inconvenience for permanent improvement."

"As the former mayor of Redmond, I know the importance of making wise investments. A mammogram is a wise investment in your health. Life is your/our most precious asset. An annual mammogram can make the difference in your being around to enjoy it !"

I made a mammogram promise because I pray that not one more friend or loved one has to endure Breast Cancer. I am also an Ovarian Cancer Survivor which makes me a high risk for Breast Cancer. I just had my mammogram last week...how about YOU????

"Mammograms save lives. Maybe yours. Get one. And make a mammogram promise with a friend so you get one every year."

As an 8 year breast cancer survivor, I know first hand the importance of regular mammography screening that enables early detection. I owe my life to my radiologist as much as I do to the oncology team that treated me! Thanks Kara!! So make the promise, get screened, and tell your friends!

“My grandmother was a breast cancer survivor. Thanks to early detection we had a lot of good years together and she was able to beat it. Give that gift to the people who love you… but, most importantly give it to yourself. Schedule your mammogram today.”

Making a Mammogram Promise and spreading the word about the importance of mammography to the ones you love is one of the easiest and most crucial things you can do. Go on, make a promise and spread the life-saving word, I did.

My family has the BRCA2 gene mutation. Every female and 3 males on my mother's side of the family have had cancer except my sister and I, we chose to be previvors and had bilateral mastectomies in 1984. Our mother died of breast cancer in 1985. Awareness is the answer and proactive is the key word for our family.

"I support the Make a Mammogram Promise because early detection has saved the lives of women I love."

"A mammogram can be the difference between winning or losing the fight against a deadly disease. It’s a weapon every woman should have in her arsenal."

“To every woman over 40, this message is for you. PLEASE get your yearly mammogram. Don't let this lapse. Don't think it is unnecessary. Don't think it doesn't pertain to you. It does. Breast cancer strikes, most often, without visible signs or warnings. Believe me when I say mammograms save lives. I know because I was diagnosed with breast cancer last September, detected very early through my routine annual mammograms and check-up. I am so grateful to the doctors who spotted it and guided me to immediate treatment.”

"I promise to be a really annoying nag to my wonderful daughters, sister, sisters-in-law, female colleagues, friends, and women-yet-to-become-friends by asking them to get regular mammograms. I will do this because I love them. It’s that simple and that important."

I am so grateful for a wonderful life, friends and family. I don’t want to spend one minute worrying my way through breast cancer treatment. For me, 30 minutes of prevention, is the best investment I can make. Tell your friends, daughters, families, get your mammogram regularly.

"The reason to start getting mammograms when you hit age 40 is so that you'll be alive and getting them when you're pushing 80! They're easy, painless, and could very well save your life."

"Mammograms represent taking ownership of your health, by taking proactive steps to keep yourself alive and healthy for your family, friends and yourself. And if you're under 40 like me, you still have a job to do. Women ages 20 to 39 should undergo clinical breast exams and regularly conduct self exams at home."

Making a mammogram promise isn’t just for us, it’s for those we love most. My dear friend, Niki Ueland said something that proved to be the 'aha moment' that gets me in for my yearly mammogram. Also a busy mom, wife, journalist, and volunteer, she said, 'I would hate to leave my children without a mother because I didn’t make time to get a mammogram.' This prioritizes my yearly mammogram to the top of my 'to do' list. Thanks Niki. I promise to find the time, make the mammogram appointment, and go.

“As a basketball coach, preparation is huge. I want my team to control the things we can control. I think the same thing applies to living a healthy life. To me that means taking care of my diet, exercising daily, managing my stress level, and having yearly mammograms. Early detection of breast cancer is huge. If cancer is found early, there are more treatment options available. I want to encourage anyone over 40 years of age to have a yearly screening mammogram.”

"Five good friends - women from all over the country - had or have breast cancer. For four of them, the cancer was caught early enough that surgery and radiation/chemotherapy have helped them survive this long. But one friend's cancer was discovered too late to save her. As you might imagine, I'm a big supporter of anything that will help early detection of breast cancer."

"Since I turned 40, I've had yearly mammograms. I just wouldn't feel safe without one. I know women are busy juggling home, family, work, and relationships--but a once-a-year checkup can be wedged into even the busiest schedule. Our health is too important to be put at the bottom of our 'to-do' list!"

"Getting regular mammograms is an easy way for me to make sure I’m healthy and that I stay that way."

I'm a cancer survivor and I never want this to be visited upon my wife or any of my friends. Let's beat cancer in our lifetime.

"Frankly, one might wonder why I would subject myself to a fairly uncomfortable flattening of two of my female body parts between cold metal plates. But there I will stand, half-dressed in a slightly chilly room, as a tech hovers behind a metal shield that is protecting her from the radiation that she is shooting my way. And imagine, I come back for more, year after year, waiting in the lobby with groups of middle-aged women in blue smocks, all there to be smashed and x-rayed. Why do it, you ask? It’s simple. I have a fairly lovely life that I intend to prolong as long as possible. No sense in checking out early with the way it is going so far. Having a mammogram is simply an act of hope."

I obtain my mammogram yearly because the people I respect and love rely on me---both as a physician to confirm that it’s the best thing to do medically---and as an individual---to try to be around for them as long as possible. The evidence to support regular mammograms is supported by our great providers who look at these recommendations through a critical lens. I have friends and relatives who are still with us because they had mammograms and found out their diagnosis early enough to have the right care. My wish is that we will all do the same.

"We are proud to make a Mammogram Promise and hope you will join us in spreading the word! Breast cancer does not discriminate. Fortunately, with early detection and annual mammograms, lives can and will be saved."

"Peace of mind. I think that’s one of the important reasons to get a regular mammogram. There is too much to worry about in this world. Why not get a mammogram, if nothing else, to know you’ve done something positive for yourself, your family, and to have the peace of mind that you are in charge of your body."

I made a pact with myself years back to get my mammogram and all other screenings in February. I call it the "I Love Myself Month" - in honor of the Valentine's theme. After all, we love others fully when we love ourselves first.

"I was honored to be a bridesmaid in a friend’s wedding recently. As we helped the bride into her gown and the rest of us got into our matching dresses, we all chuckled at our different ‘sizes’ and challenges in fitting into our fancy clothes! Knowing that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer that thought was farthest from my mind at that moment, even though I was surrounded by 7 women who mean the world to me! Thankfully, October’s here to remind me! I’m going to go back to every woman in that wedding to make her promise to get a mammogram and pass on that reminder to someone else she knows. Together, we can make difference, one voice at a time."

We females are amazing. We take care of so many people. Please, coming from a cancer survivor, take one hour each year to take care of YOU! Make a Mammogram Promise to yourself and ask your loved ones to join in. Celebrate your life as unique and important!

"Don’t delay, procrastinate, stall, defer, hesitate, vacillate or PUT IT ON THE BACK BURNER! Get your mammogram now. Make yourself #1 when it comes to protecting your health. Be well!"

"I just called my clinic and scheduled my annual appointment which is due in January. (I usually wait until I’m long overdue.) This year I made a promise to myself: No excuses. The time it takes to get this vital screening is nothing, compared to the time, money and emotional toll it takes to fight late-stage breast cancer. Take care of your girls. Your girls will take care of you!

My mother had her first breast cancer scare while I was in nursing school. I remember her asking me her two options, should I get a lumpectomy or a mastectomy, I told her the mastectomy , why take the chance of it coming back? So, she went with her decision, my decision , the mastectomy. Three years later, she was diagnosed with breast cancer in her other breast, needless to say masectomy. It has been very hard for her, she has now had reconstructive surgery and is doing well. Thank God!

"Happiness is good health, so get happy by getting a mammogram. Take charge of your health! The Make a Mammogram Promise is an easy one to keep, it's your future, after all."

"As a cancer survivor, I know firsthand how critical it is to detect cancer at its earliest stage. I cannot stress enough just how important it is to get a mammogram. I promise to get mine every year and I hope my friends and family will do the same."

A year ago, last June, I went in for my annual mammogram - something I do right on time every year. A very small cancerous spot was found (so tiny not even the surgeon could feel it. The mammogram found it. I had a lumpectomy followed by radiation and am cancer free. I am now the poster girl for getting mammograms on a regular, on time, annual basis. It may have saved my life.

"What a live-saving diagnostic! I believe all women should have access to mammograms regardless of their ability to pay. We are making this a reality through public/private partnerships."

Having my yearly mammogram is just one more thing that I do to support my own health. Early detection is critical to the variety of treatment options available. Find the time to schedule your mammogram and make it happen!

"Since my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer - all my sisters (there are three of us) and my extended family - all pledged to get a mammogram every year. Cancer has taken a heavy toll on my family but we all refuse to let it win. A yearly mammogram is one step we each take in our fight. So every year - we all check in with each other to make sure that we've scheduled and had our mammograms and pap smears – we call it our “mammy and our pappy” check-up! It is the promise we made to our mother, the promise we continue to make to ourselves and to each other."

In January 2011, my mammogram showed a small shadow. My doctor had not found anything at my regular checkup, nor had I found anything during my monthly breast self-exam. It turned out to be an early stage malignancy. I had a lumpectomy and radiation. I am so grateful that I had my mammogram, as I can look forward to many years ahead with my loved ones. I will continue to get mammograms on a regular basis and encourage everyone I know to get theirs!

"Working for a world-renowned cancer center is a personal daily reminder for me to get screened and never take my health for granted. That's why I get a mammogram each year. Mammography offers the best shot at detecting breast cancer early, when cure rates are high."

Where i work there are three of us that are breast cancer survivors. We call each other sister. i think we have helped each in small ways.

My grandma lost her battle with breast cancer and my aunt is a breast cancer survivor. With the advances that have been made in technology, we are so lucky that breast cancer can now be detected early and more lives can be saved. Do your part by getting your annual mammogram. Although I'm not yet old enough to need to be screened, I know how important it is to make sure that my mom is and to encourage the women in our lives to do the same. Take care of your loved ones and spread the word!

I know that there are no guarantees in life but there are ways of improving my odds of staying healthy like getting a regular mammogram. I'm an older mom and I owe it to my kids to do common sense things to stay healthy.

I might not be old enough to need a mammogram, but I'm making the promise to remind my mom and grandma to go get theirs. I also promise to start getting annual mammograms starting at age 40 because I want to be around for my husband, family, and future children. So get yours!

A mammogram is the single best gift you can give yourself and your family. My only sister was diagnosed at 45 and is a 3 year survivor. She was referred to her medical team by a friend who lost her sister at 42, who delayed getting hers due to busy life w/kids. We owe it to ourselves and our loved ones to never miss a screening!!

26 years ago at the age of 32 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I AM a SURVIVOR and I encourage everyone I know to get a mammogram not just once in awhile but every single year. It is a LIFE SAVER

Two acquaintences have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer--at an early and manageable stage, because they are both in the good habit of routine screening. It reminded me just how important it is to spread the word to friends and family about the power of mammograms.

I love my mom, my aunts, my grandmother, and all the important women in my life. I may be too young to get a mammogram myself, but I'm not too young to make sure the women I cherish are around for a good long time.

In this community, there is no justifiable reason why a woman should die of breast cancer, given all the technology and knowledge available to us when the cancer is detected early. Getting a mammogram is like getting the gift of life, and every woman should pledge to herself and her family to get one every year.

Promises we make to our loved ones: we keep those close to our heart every single day. Building a foundation of personal health is a promise that we keep for our loved ones too.

Breast cancer kills a woman every 69 seconds somewhere in the world. Early detection saves lives. Make a difference in your next 69 seconds and make a Mammogram Promise. Everyone deserves a lifetime.

Why take a chance? My daughter and I are glad that my wife gets a annual mammogram? Just one less thing to worry about.

I make this promise to encourage the women in my life to get mammograms. For my wife, mother-in-law, 3 daughers, 4 grandaughters, and all the other wonderful women in my life.

Two of my aunts died from breast cancer, my sister has had some unusual mammograms, so I make sure I get a regular mammogram. I urge you to get one too.

I am grateful that we have the technology to detect breast cancer early. Some day I know that we can inspire an early detection test for other cancers such as pancreatic and others cancers so that others have a second chance at life.

I decided to promise myself to get a mammogram every year or two, depending on what my health care provider says as I was adopted and have no health records. I owe it to my daughter, my granddaughters, and my family to stay as healthy as I can to be around to watch them continue to grow and flourish every day.

Mammograms are an essential part of the early detection of breast cancer. Having personally experienced breast cancer, I know that it is in large part thanks to modern medicine and technology that I'm alive and thriving today. All women are at risk for getting breast cancer -- please get your mammogram!

My mom is a survivor she is the most beautiful woman i have ever known. Her fight started when she fell on her left breast it did not get better then the news came inflammatory stage 3 cancer. She survived!

I work for a retirement community. I know a large percentage of my lady tenants who have battled breast cancer in the past or are just going through it now. I have learned by working here that if there is something (an illness) you can screen for ahead of time- why would you take the risk with your health. I try very hard to keep up with all of my routine exams. There are alot of people, whom if they could change it they would have done more preventitive care for a very small inconvience.

Close friend diagnosed w/breast cancer through her annual mammogram. Her mass was removed and she had radiation. I was two years behind and scheduled my mammogram after her diagnosis. My mammogram detected mass in two different areas. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation followed. A little lopsided, but today a Survivor! I have no doubt her diagnosis helped save my life. I hope my story will help save another.

I made a mammo promise, and I'm encouraging everyone else to make one, because quite simply: if she had not gone in for her regular annual checkup and mammogram, my daughter would not be with us today. Her breast cancer presented itself as a stage 4 that had already spread to her spine and pelvis. That was 4 years ago, and we almost lost her: a parent's worst nightmare. All 4 of her last scans have been clean, and today she is in solid remission.

Time passes by too quickly and it is easy to get caught up in work, doing for others, and forgetting about taking care of yourself. I am making this promise so that I stay healthy for my children as I want to be around to see all of their accomplishments. And, I do it in honor of and in remembrance of my Auntie Betty.

please encourage the women in your lives to get a mammogram , breast cancer can effect every family even yours!!

A routine ANNUAL mammogram detected my breast cancer and saved my life. I had also considered postponing it for 3 months for better insurance coverage at the time, but decided I better not. That decision meant the difference of surgery and radiation vs. surgery, radiation and chemo. So, don't delay!!! Make your appointment TODAY!!!