It's the phone call you never want to get.

My Aunt Naomi called from California in November of 1999. "I just got home. I had to have surgery. A masectomy. I was diagnosed with breast cancer." Chemotherapy and radiation followed, and a trip to the hospital for an allergic reaction to the tamoxifen, a drug prescribed by her doctor to prevent getting breast cancer in her surviving breast on the right. She was promptly taken off the drug.

Then in January of 2000, nearly two months later, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Surgery on February 24, 2000, removed the cancer on her right side, and her breast. She ended up back in the hospital for four days because of an infection. But Mom was lucky. Because of early detection she avoided chemotherapy and radiation. And she did just fine on the tamoxifen.

The final blow was May of 2000 when Aunt Treva, the second oldest sister in Mom's family, called and said she was having surgery for breast cancer. She also went through chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Three sisters, their lives and the lives of their families changed forever, in six months.

For those diagnosed and their families, the news is devastating at first. Cancer of any kind was a death sentence 25 years ago. Because of the advances in early detection and mammography, and in medical treatment, all three sisters survived and are now thriving with their children and grandchildren.

They've been present at the graduations, the weddings, the vacations, and they've seen their families through the roughest times knowing once you've beat cancer, everything else is just stuff.

All three are still cancer free as of the date of this article.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It began 25 years ago and continues to grow and expand to educate and inform women of all ages. This education and self-awareness includes the importance of self-examination at least once a month and yearly mammograms beginning at age 40, earlier for those with a family history or risk factors for the disease.

But more needs to be done. Younger women and women of color, especially those of Latino and African-American heritage are at higher risk because of economic and educational barriers. The diagnosis of the actress, Christina Applegate and her double mastectomy to follow, and Hoda Kotbe of the Today Show, puts a face to the young woman under 40 who has a family history (Christina's mother had breast cancer) and brings with it an awareness that says, "Yes, it could happen to you."

More and more men are also being diagnosed with breast cancer.

The problems with women younger than 40 or even 30, and with men who find a lump during a breast self-examination, it's often misdiagnosed. When you are dealing with any kind of lump or abnormality in your body, be your own best advocate. Listen to your body, but most importantly, listen to your gut instinct. Get more than a second opinion. It may just save your life.

It's estimated that 3,500 women in Minnesota will be diagnosed and of those 650 will die of the disease. One in eight women has or will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.

During the month of October there are a variety of activities and events. With all the news with the health care bill in Congress, there is also an advocacy page for you to give your voice. Health insurance is harder to obtain for those who have a family history or a past history of cancer.

No money to give? If you have Internet access go to www.thebreastcancersite.com and "Click to Give". Each click per day helps sponsors to pay for free mammograms. One hundred percent (100%) of money raised goes to charity. Even we all just gave a dollar ($1) it would add up and make a huge difference.

As of this writing, there are an estimated 2.5 million breast cancer survivors. Newer technological advances such as MRI's to detect tumors not seen by a mammogram are saving even more lives. But these tests are expensive and with the high rate of unemployment, higher co-pays and deductibles and the even higher rate of those without health insurance, the death toll will be higher.

Why? Women often forgo medical exams and treatment to ensure their children are seen and taken care of first. It's not noble. It's suicide.

Be selfish. Do your family and yourself a favor. Take care of yourself. There are free and low cost mammograms and exams that include the testing of other forms of cancer, such as cervical cancer. In Minnesota, the program is called SAGE. You can reach them at this number 1-888-6-HEALTH (1-888-643-2584) .

Call today to see if you qualify. An estimated 1,400 women have been diagnosed through the SAGE program.

In the end, your life is in your own hands