A few months ago, I went to my doctor and asked for a mammogram. Cancer is always on my mind. My father died of colon cancer

last year and my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago at age 35.

When I asked my doctor for a mammogram, he told me that I should only be concerned about breast cancer if my mother or sister was diagnosed. He also said that I was too young to undergo the radiation of the mammogram because it will increase my chances of developing other cancers later.

Even though it is rare for women in their 20s to develop breast cancer, it does in fact happen.

Christine Greally, 37, was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a mastectomy at 29.

“It was extremely shocking,” said the Yonkers resident. “There was no history of it in my family so I was blown away.”

Greally discovered a lump in her breast and went to her doctor .

“When I was diagnosed, I had a mammogram and an ultra sound, ” she said. “Three months after my diagnoses, I had a mastectomy. The cancer did not spread.”

Breast cancer starts in the breast cells of both men and women. Worldwide, breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer after lung cancer and the fifth most common cause of cancer death. This year alone, more than 40,000 people died of the disease, according to the National Cancer Institute Web site.

According to Doreen Semel, patient care coordinator of Mount Kisco Medical Group breast cancer is a serious issue.

“Seven hundred and seventy four women will be diagnosed in Westchester each year and 159 will die,” said the 16-year survivor.

Doctors say that women should start getting mammograms at 40, but women in their 20s are still at risk.

“There is no reason you should wait until you are 40,” said Greally. “There has been more cases than ever before. I met someone who was diagnosed at 22.”

Semel said that 20-something women should only be concerned if their mothers or sisters have the disease. If they do, they should get mammograms. If not, they should wait until their late 30s and early 40s.

Greally has been a survivor for eight years now and she says that she feels great.

“They have come so far with all of these different treatment so there is hope.”

She has a message for  young women.

“Early detection is what is saving lives and knowing your own body,” she declared. “Know your body, know your instinct, and I cannot express self-examination enough.”

Happy Breast Cancer Awareness Month Ladies!
Caption: Christine Greally,37, of Yonkers was diagnosed with breast cancer at 29. Her cancer has been in remission for eight years. (Carucha Meuse/The Journal News).