Ever Felt a Stale Gum Drop? -- Our Latest Buddy Check

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Mary Ann Dean says she is always faithful to Buddy Check 12.

That's a good thing because it saved her life. She did a self exam.

The Jacksonville resident says she found a hard lump, which felt like a gum drop that's been in the candy jar too long. Mary Ann says she felt it and thought, "Dear Lord, what is this?"

Her doctor diagnosed her with breast cancer. Then Mary Ann says, "I went through six weeks of radiation and I have to say to all the ladies" that they should "keep the faith."

Yes, she admits, she was "scared to death" at first. Then she says she relied on the Bible verse which says, "Be still and know that I am God."

Now she's proud of a letter from her doctors at Mayo Clinic putting her in the "survivor" category.

Mary Ann has two sons and three grandsons. She's a proud Grandma, although she does say, "I love girls." But so far she's still in the all-boy mode.

No matter what, though, Mary Ann is alive to enjoy whatever comes next...of either gender. She already has her refrigerator loaded with braggin' photos.

Her story should make us all picture the people we love and ask ourselves, "Am I checking or just hoping it won't happen to me?"

Remember most breast cancers don't run in families. Experts say only about 8-12% carry a genetic link.

What does that mean? According to oncologists, the number one risk for breast cancer is just being female.

Of course, men can get breast cancer, too. About 1% of breast cancer cases are men.

So are you doing a self exam every month?

Remember most lumps-- 80%-- are not cancerous.

But if you find a hard lump or something which feels different make sure you contact a doctor.

We've made it easy for you. Get a buddy, someone you love, such as your mom or daughter or best friend. Remind each other every 12th of the month on Buddy Check 12 day.

Just call our partner, Baptist Medical Center, at 904-202-CARE and you'll get free Buddy Check 12 kits in the mail.

Since Jeannie Blaylock launched Buddy Check 12 on TV more than 300 local women have come forward and said the program helped save their lives. You can watch Buddy Check stories every 12th on First Coast News.

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