Breast Cancer

3 hours of my evening were spent at the volunteer care clinic. I really enjoyed my time there once again, but it helped me see the sometimes painful nature of working in the field of healthcare. This Hispanic lady came in with a complaint of pain in her right breast. The doctor had her lift up her shirt and I saw my first breast (not counting nursing women). The novelty faded quickly though as the doctor told her it was probably cancer. Cancer! The woman is only 41, and what makes matters worse is that she had first noticed the pain about a year ago. I haven't yet received any medical training on the matter, but no doubt her waiting a year has made her situation far more serious than it could have been. I sensed her embarrassment when she came in, but then I realized that what was driving her was fear. I felt like it was fear that made her wait a year to get it checked, and it is fear that finally brought her to the clinic today. She has three children and none of them is older than 14. Breast cancer is her stark reality.