Take care of your ta-tas!

This morning I went for my annual mammogram -- and, as a bonus, got a breast ultrasound. That's two -- two -- two boob jobs in one! (I also just discovered that there is actually a product called "Boob Lube." Who knew?)

The whole process was painless, and covered by insurance. Which is why I don't understand why so many women put off or don't get annual or semi-annual mammograms, especially if there is a history of breast cancer in their family or they have risk factors (like smoking).

FYI: Per the Centers for Disease Control: "Aside from non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. Breast cancer is the number one cause of cancer death in Hispanic women. It is the second most common cause of cancer death in white, black, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native women."

So ladies, especially those of you over 35 and/or have someone in your family who has or had breast cancer, if you have not already done so this year, make an appointment with your OB/GYN or family practitioner to get a mammogram and, if you have "dense" breasts, a breast ultrasound. (Seriously, if you have ever had a pap smear, which you probably get every year, you can handle a mammogram and breast ultrasound, which is basically a breast massage.)

And guys, that is those of you who are married or in a serious relationship with a woman, make sure your partner checks her breasts regularly -- or volunteer to help her out.

Thank you.

(Btw, I won't find out the results of my tests until at least midday tomorrow, and while I doubt -- hope -- the girls are normal, I must confess I am a wee bit nervous.)

UPDATED 6/3/10: And the results are in! And I am breathing a HUGE sigh of relief. (The assistant gave me a bit of a scare there when she took a dramatic pause before giving me the results of my breast ultrasound. But both the mammogram and ultrasound were negative. Yea!) Until next year...

Keeping abreast of women's health issues

In response to the flurry of comments regarding my "Hooters Air.... Oh wait, that airline went bust" line, which apparently titillated some of my (male) readers, and because this morning I had my annual mammogram (doc said my breasts looks great! I am assuming he meant that professionally), this post is dedicated to the care and maintenance of the female breast, surely something we all can agree should be lovingly and dutifully cared for, twice over.

I am not a big fan of going to the doctor, but every year, without fail, I go see my GYN and get a mammogram.

Ladies, if you are 40 or over, and especially if someone in your immediate family has or had breast cancer, you should have a mammogram every year -- and do a monthly self examination. Btw, if breast cancer runs in your family and one or more females found a lump pre-menopause, you should have a mammogram every year starting at age 35 or 10 years before that person's breast cancer was detected.

No excuses. A self exam is free -- and mammograms, which only take a few minutes and are not invasive, are covered by insurance. And if that isn't enough, it's always nice to hear a professional tell you, "Your breasts look great!"

And while I am on the subject of boobs and professionals: Today is opening day of Major League Baseball season! Gooo Mets! (Game, against the Florida Marlins, starts at 4:10 p.m. ET and Santana is pitching.)

ADDED 4/2: If you have not already done so, please read the comments as they contain important/helfpul information. And please share this blog post with a friend who could benefit from it!

Lady Tata sings about ma-ma-ma-mammograms (in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month)

I just saw this video titled "Mammogram" (sung to the tune of Lady Gaga's "Poker Face") by "Lady Tata" (GagaForTatas), created in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and had to share.



As all of you know, I am a big advocate of yearly mammograms for women over 40 and/or who have a history of breast cancer in their family. So, if you fall into either category, and have not had a mammogram this year, I encourage you to make an appointment this month, if not today, in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

And guys (who, btw, can also get breast cancer), I encourage you to make sure that the woman (or women) you love, if they are over 40 and/or have a history of breast cancer in their family, have an annual mammogram.

You can also help defeat breast cancer by donating to one of the many organizations looking for a cure for this horrible disease, such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Ta-ta for now...

The Itty Bitty Titty Committee*: Helping to save the world one breast at a time

So the other day I'm stuck behind this SUV in traffic and start reading its bumper stickers, all of which are quite entertaining. But the one that really catches my eye -- and makes me smile -- is "save the ta-tas," which includes a pink ribbon (in support of breast cancer research) and a URL.

Later, at home, curious, I type in the URL, www.savethetatas.com. Turns out, the site is totally legit, on a mission to save as many ta-tas as it can, with "a portion of every sale of [its] ta-tas® brand breast cancer shirts, accessories, and products go[ing] to support breast cancer research and education."

Of course the spouse and I want to do our bit to save the ta-tas, but there are so many ways to show our support, how to choose?

And then, while looking through the save the ta-tas online catalog, which boasts some very impressive ta-tas, we found it, the perfect shirt for yours truly (at left -- and no, that is not me; the spouse nixed me putting up a photo of me in my tank on the blog, though said I could post one on Facebook, privately).

I have yet to wear the tank top, which just arrived, but my little ta-tas and I are happy that we are supporting a noble cause. (And yes, we also support more established breast cancer research efforts like Susan G. Komen for the Cure and several other cancer research institutions and charities.)

If you love ta-tas, please, consider making a donation now. And ladies, make sure to get a yearly mammogram if you are over 40! After all, a breast is a horrible thing to waste.

*Not to be confused with the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee (a MUST for cat lovers).