There comes a point in life when we start checking off those “grown-up” health screenings. For me, it was my annual mammogram.
I’ll admit it — I still felt young and healthy. Cancer wasn’t something I spent much time thinking about.
A year earlier, my mammogram had shown a few breast cysts. My doctor explained they were common, especially as hormones change during perimenopause. They weren’t concerning, so I didn’t think much about them after that.
A few months before my next screening, I started noticing something strange.
Every now and then, I’d feel a little pain in my breast.
It wasn’t constant.
It would come and go.
Honestly, I ignored it. Life gets busy, and when something isn’t happening all the time, it’s easy to convince yourself it’s probably nothing.
Then one morning, everything changed.
I was in the shower, scrubbing with a washcloth like I always do. As I rubbed across one area of my breast, I suddenly stopped.
“Ow!”
It felt exactly like pressing on a deep bruise. That moment got my attention.
For the first time, I thought, This doesn’t feel normal.
I messaged my doctor that same day.
During my appointment, she examined the area and was able to find the spot that hurt. Since my annual mammogram was already coming up, she ordered a diagnostic mammogram so they could take a closer look.
Those next two weeks weren’t easy.
The hardest part wasn’t the discomfort.
It was not knowing.
Your mind starts asking questions you wish it wouldn’t ask.
What if it’s something serious?
What if this changes everything?
When the day finally arrived, I was relieved to learn that the imaging center had a radiologist on site. After my mammogram, I didn’t have to spend days waiting for a phone call.
Before I left, they reviewed my images and gave me my results.
It was another benign cyst.
I can’t fully describe the relief I felt.
The radiologist also explained something that brought me even more peace. Breast pain is very common, especially during the hormonal changes of perimenopause. They also reminded me that many breast cancers don’t cause pain, which is why any new breast symptoms should always be evaluated rather than ignored.
That conversation changed the way I think about my health.
My biggest takeaway wasn’t, “Everything is fine.”
Peace of mind comes from being proactive.
I can’t control everything that happens inside my body. None of us can.
But I can control how I care for it.
- ✓I can schedule my screenings.
- ✓I can pay attention when something feels different.
- ✓I can nourish my body, stay active, and make choices that support my long-term health.
Those are things I can control.
That experience also reminded me why I’m so passionate about learning how to support my body’s natural defenses as I get older. While no supplement can prevent or treat breast cancer, I believe that giving my body the nutrients and support it needs is one more way I can invest in my overall wellness.
If you’ve recently noticed something making you anxious — I hope my story encourages you.
Don’t let fear keep you from getting answers.
Sometimes the scariest part is simply not knowing.
And sometimes the greatest peace comes from discovering that you’re doing everything you can to take care of yourself.
Take the Next Step
If you’re curious about the daily wellness routine I use to support healthy aging and give my body its best chance to thrive, I’d love to share it with you. Start with my free health assessment, and together we’ll explore simple ways to support your body’s natural resilience.
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