by Kesshia Peyton
Published: Thu, September 04, 2008 - 2:02 pm CST
Last Updated: Thu, September 04, 2008 - 2:08 pm CST
One out of eight American women will get breast cancer. Women who get regular mammograms lower their risk of breast cancer death by 63%.Doctors say between 5% and 10% of all breast cancers cases are hereditary.
That's one small statistic Joann Dawson doesn't take too lightly after her mother passed away from the disease.
"I laid there in her arms and I just cried and it was like I knew my mom was leaving me but I wasn't ready to give up and I guess I still haven't given her up." said JoAnn Dawson.
Egar Velle Smith passed away four years ago, but Dawson hasn't been able to shake the two words that took her mother's life: breast cancer.
"It's just a frightening thing of not knowing whether you have it. But I thank God everyday when they tell me I don't."
Dawson is standing up to cancer with yearly mammograms. it's the best way to face her fears.
"I know it's something that I have to do and seeing the things that my mom went through, it makes me want to go and get myself checked," said Dawson.
Free Breast Exams During Breast Cancer Awareness Month
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