You have every right to be scared. The unknowing is enough to drive anyone crazy. First of all may I suggest that you and your family be tested for the BRAC gene. It is the gene that is inherited,from our moms that mutates itself into cancer. If you are acarrier it is most likely you will develope breast cancer I have been told. It is something that is scarey,confusing, and completely overwhelming. At times I felt like it had invaded every aspect of my life. Like a monster that devowers everything and everyone in its path. But I also found the strength I never know I had. I mean I have know I am a strong woman. I have raised 4 kids on my own. But to be able to put just one foot in front of the other takes more strenght than I knew I had. I was the type of person that didnt want to know too many details. I just wanted to be told what to do and when to do it, for my recovery. It works for me. Now that I am 1 treatment of radiaiton to being done, I want to educate myself with the information many people thought I should have already known. But I am cancer free right now and that is all I can ask for is right now. You are so ytoung and have much more life to experience. I would be scared,angry,confused,overwhelemed. So just be patient with yourself feel your feelings and please know that I am here for you. I have been there and done that. Just know that I will be praying for you and please keep in touch..CINDY

You are being very responsible going in and I give you so much credit for doing it. I know you are scared, but really, what will it change. Go in with an open mind, willing to accept anything and remember, too, at your age, it's very common to have fibrous breasts...I had lumpy lumps all the time until I had kids. Hang in there...I'll be thinking and praying for you!

Go into your mammogram knowing you're just going in for a mammogram to check a lump. Don't look to far ahead of yourself.

The mammogram itself consists of images taken by compressing your breasts from top to bottom, side to side. It's not comfortable, but it's only a few seconds per image. It's gonna feel weird, and you'll swear they pulled breast from your armpit, but it won't make you cry. Afterwards, they'll review the images and tell you what they saw and explain if anything else is needed, like maybe a sonogram. They'll take care of that stuff for you if it needs to be done.

Young people have very dense breast tissue, so abnormalities can be common, but not worth worrying over.

The important thing to remember is that you're doing the right thing by going. I went to an early mammo and found a cancer very very early. That isn't great news, but I have an excellent outcome from finding it early.

Hang in there sweetie. I know it's scary, but just don't go consulting your imagination for answers. Wait for the mammo, and take it from there.