Atypical ductal hyperplasia

That's a mouthful. No wonder I keep forgetting it. On February 1st, I recorded in this blog that my breast biopsy revealed that I have this condition. My breast doctor, Dr. P, noted that this is not cancer, however, it means I have a slightly higher risk of getting breast cancer. It also means that I should have a mammogram every year, and I need to do a self-breast exam on a regular basis. So far, I've been doing both, but the self-breast exam has been something I have done with little confidence. Mainly because I never questioned the initial lump that Dr. P biopsied, and this was a large lump!

When I told Dr. T that I didn't feel very qualified to detect anything abnormal, he indicated that statistically, women who perform regular breast exams on themselves are much more likely to detect an abnormality than even the best breast doctor, simply because a woman will come to know her own breasts and what feels normal. Somehow, his words gave me more confidence and I've been feeling less insecure and more empowered every time I remember to check, usually when I'm in the shower or lying awake in bed.

Now, if I can only remember the name of the condition...atypical ductal hyperplasia...atypical ductal hyperplasia...atypical ductal hyperplasia...