Why doesn't anyone talk about breast cancer in families?

Mardell's story  

After my needle biopsy, the nurse hugged me and gave me a lovely angel pin that I wore proudly. Two days later I was sitting in a Wellness meeting and the pin fell off and landed in my hand. It was broken. I was dumbfounded and held it in my hands. 

This was the drop dead day that I would learn my diagnosis. I was getting nervous so I decided to call my doctor. She was on vacation and wouldn’t be back for over a week. Finally, I called the imaging center, just knowing they would give me the information. After a few transfers I was told that under the circumstances they could not give me my results; this information was available only to the doctor. I explained the situation and also that I was planning a short vacation starting the following day and didn’t want to worry about whether it was positive or negative. Whatever the results, I would manage that when I came home. 

The nurse found the doctor on call for my doctor and he called me with the news. I had breast cancer; I would need surgery followed by radiation. I would be fine they caught it early.  I was surprised to say the least, but I knew I would survive. My sister was the only other family member with breast cancer and she had already survived three years. I went on my trip, relaxed and got ready for my treatment, which became almost like a part-time job. I was able to manage this through the help and support of my co¬workers. My boss and supervisor made time for me to go to all of my appointments and covered for me while I was gone. If I was particular fatigued in the morning, they allowed me to arrive later in the day. I barely missed work except for the appointments. My husband started cooking more so I never worried about what needed to be done at home. My first grandson was born in the middle of all this and it was such a breath of fresh air when he was born.

It was afterward, a few years afterward in fact that I learned my Aunt died from breast cancer. It was not discussed. After I learned this, I contacted my cousin; he told me she had indeed died of breast cancer and that his sister was currently receiving treatments. How many of us have a family history and don’t know it because it wasn’t discussed?