Early detection is the key, my own story

Last November I knew something was not quite right with my body.  I could not put my finger on what exactly it was, I just knew I didn't feel like myself.  I decided to see my General Practitioner, Dr. Ly. She listens very closely to her patients and her care goes above and beyond.  She shares an office with a Gastroenteroligst, Dr. Klein.  At this appointment she asked if I could hang around for a few minutes and see him because she was concerned with the symptoms I was experiencing.  I remember having Grace in tow, who at the age of 2 was bouncing off of the walls, but I knew I needed to stay.

Dr. Klein read over my chart and asked me many questions.  He said he did not like the sound of  what I was experiencing and wanted to do a endoscopy to see what was going on. Within a week I was scheduled for the endoscopy.

A couple of days after my procedure I was at my daughter's dress rehearsal for the Nutcracker when Dr. Klein called me.  All I remember him saying was you have a tumor. The diagnosis nobody ever wants to hear. This was not supposed to happen to me, a year prior I was taking care of my husband as he was battling cancer.  I went outside so I could hear him, and ask a few questions.  I had an adenoma on my ampulla. On my what ??  He told me I was extremely lucky because this was the beginning stages of pancreatic cancer, but that it is never found in this early stage.  Usually this type of cancer goes undetected, and it is too late once it is found.

My adenoma was removed and now I go twice a year for routine endoscopies.  I will be on surveillance for the rest of my life for pancreatic cancer.  I am so lucky!!

Regular check ups and Cancer Screening increases the chances of detecting certain cancers early, when they are most likely to be curable.

We must listen very closely to our body, as it can save our life.

Take control of your health and reduce your cancer risk.

some simple guidelines in taking control are as follows:

• Stay away from tobacco.
• Stay at a healthy weight.
• Get moving with regular physical activity.
• Eat healthy with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Protect your skin.
• Know yourself, your family history, and your risks.
• Have regular check-ups and cancer screening tests.
• Listen to your body !