By Abenaa Bailey, M.Ed.
I want to take a moment to talk about something that's been weighing heavily on my heart. Recently, I went for a mammogram after skipping a year and the results revealed a large mass in my left breast.
Walking into that first appointment, I didn't suspect anything. I wasn't feeling different or sick. I went because my women's wellness exam reminded me it was time, so I scheduled my mammogram. That simple act of routine self-care turned into one of the scariest moments of my life.
The same day, I received a call asking me to return for a second visit. They explained they had found something in my breast, a large mass. On my third visit, they discovered a cyst sitting behind the mass. The cyst was surgically removed and, thankfully, tested benign. To help monitor my health, I must return every five months for follow-up screenings, not just once a year.
During those weeks of waiting, I was on edge. I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, and felt like I was walking through life in a fog. I prayed constantly and reached out to friends who were doctors, trying to make sense of the protocols. Even with reassurance, I still felt the fear deeply.
What surprised me most was the response when I began sharing my story. Women sent me photos of their own mammogram visits. Some told me it had been five or even ten years since their last screening. Seeing how my story encouraged others opened my eyes to how much awareness is still needed.
If there's one thing I want you to take away, it's this: please make your health a priority. Don't wait. Schedule your mammogram every year. Early detection can make a life-saving difference.
This journey has reshaped me mentally and emotionally. I'll never again delay my screenings, and I hope my story helps even one more woman to take that step toward protecting her health.
Your health matters. It's never too late to start prioritizing it. Let's continue supporting one another in this journey toward better wellness.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
A mammogram is a screening tool, not just something to schedule when something feels wrong. Screening can detect breast changes before symptoms appear.
Ask your healthcare provider:
- When should I be screened based on my individual risk?
- Do I have dense breasts, and could that affect my screening needs?
- What changes should prompt an appointment between routine screenings?
Screening recommendations vary based on age and individual risk.
Abenaa Bailey, M.Ed., is a lobbyist, entrepreneur, and community advocate passionate about building stronger communities. She is the founder of A Plus Academy, a private school dedicated to educating students with learning disabilities, and ECI Healthcare, a consulting agency serving the healthcare industry. She is also the founder and former CEO of the Texas Women's Society, a nonprofit organization supporting victims of domestic violence. In 2014, Bailey received a Texas Resolution from then–Texas House Representative Sylvester Turner recognizing her work through the Texas Women's Society. She was also recognized among d-mars' 2021 Top 50 Black Professionals & Entrepreneurs of Texas.