Month: September 2024

New Mammogram Regulation

Yesterday, it was all over the news that healthcare providers will soon be required to notify women whether or not they have dense breast tissue when they perform a mammogram. Why is this important?

First let’s talk about breast tissue in general. Overall, there are three different types of breast tissue:

  • Glandular. This is the tissue and ducts responsible for producing milk.
  • Connective. This is fibrous tissue that keeps ducts and glands in place.
  • Fatty. Yes – we carry fat in our breasts.

If you have a lot of glandular and connective tissue and not a lot of fatty tissue, you are considered to have dense breast tissue. But the tricky thing is that no matter what you weigh or what cup size you are, only a mammogram can determine just how dense your breast tissue is.

About half of all childbearing age women have dense breast tissue – but it changes over time. As you age, your breast tissue generally gets less dense due to estrogen levels falling off. So again – the question is – why do you need to know if you have dense breast tissue?

The two big reasons you need to know about your breast tissue are that high density has been linked to increased chances for breast cancer and the density can make finding breast cancer early harder because cancer and the fibers in your breast both show white on a mammogram.

Examples of types of breast tissue density – you can see how cancer could easily be hidden as the tissue density increases.

My mom died of cancer that started as breast cancer so statistically, I’m at a higher risk of getting breast cancer. As a result, I’ve always been very good about getting my screenings regularly. Before I went through menopause, my breast tissue was very dense and the routine for me went something like this: go get a mammogram, get a call from my doctor telling me that the mammogram was inconclusive and they’d like me to come in for an ultrasound, go in for the ultrasound, results were negative for breast cancer. I always wanted to cut to the chase and just get the ultrasound, but that’s not protocol!

Because of my mother’s history and the fact that a lot of my family is in the healthcare profession, I knew to ask questions and find out about the implications around the density of my tissue. I’ve also been blessed with having really good OBGYNs over the course of my life who have taken the time to educate me. I’m REALLY glad that more women will be getting this kind of information so they can make the best choices for their health.

Want to learn more? Check out these links:

So much to do!

My to-do list has blossomed! I signed my offer letter this morning – now I feel like I need to be getting ready for a new school year.

  • My Apple Watch won’t hold a charge for a full day anymore and if I work out, it doesn’t last much past supper time. So I’m off to the Apple Store to see what they can do for me. Apple Watch 10 was announced yesterday! But I don’t think there’s that much difference between the 9 and the 10 so I may not wait. Here’s the announcement about Apple Watch 10 from Apple in case you’re interested: https://www.apple.com/apple-watch-series-10/?afid=p238%7Cs3R8IOVTb-dc_mtid_20925qtb42335_pcrid_712872752772_pgrid_166902453003_pexid__&cid=wwa-us-kwgo-watch-slid—NonCore-AppleWatchSeries10-Announce-
  • I have to be in the office 3 days a week once I start the new job – and their dress code is business casual. I haven’t been business casual since before Covid! My wardrobe mainly consists of jogger pants and t-shirts. So I’m going to need to do some shopping. I’m thinking along the lines of a capsule wardrobe to give myself a lot of flexibility but not a lot of expense. Here’s some info about a capsule wardrobe: https://theeleganceedit.com/a-business-casual-capsule-wardrobe
  • I’ll be shadowing someone for a while to learn new systems and processes so I’ll need to take a lot of notes. So what will I need? Office supplies! I love college ruled notebooks and who can start a new job without new pens? I’ll be checking out the leftover school supplies at Target.
  • I’m also trying to wrap up a couple of home projects before I’m consumed with the new job – I’m trying to get the dryer vent cleaned which has been MUCH more of a project than you would think. And I’m still working on the grass where I had a tree removed. It’s definitely a process and will include a trip to Lowe’s soon….
    • And my social calendar is blowing up – I’m trying to pack as much fun as I can into the next 2 weeks so playtime with friends is a priority right now. Anyone want to meet for lunch? Dinner? A walk in the park? LOL!

So I’m off to the mall and Target – have a great day!

Good News!

Yes – I took a week off the blog for Labor Day. I had company so I was distracted being a good hostess! And I also had an interview which resulted in a job offer! So after 8 months of job searching – I’m going to be working again!!!!!!!!

If all goes well with the background check timing, I’ll be starting as Program Management Lead Analyst – VP at Citi on September 23rd. I am OVER THE MOON excited! The job description is full of things I excel at – I couldn’t have written a better description of what I like to do myself so I think I’m going to be very happy in the role.

So I’m working to pack the next 2 weeks full of as much fun as possible to celebrate – and because I’ll need to jump into the new role head first. I have a LOT of learning to do but that’s when I’m happiest so YAY!!!!!!!