Consider this: How does 4 hours out of your life for possible breast cancer detection compare to 9 months out of your life for breast cancer treatment?

Yes, I'm talking about getting yourself to the doctor's office to get a mammogram screening. And yes, it's true that getting a mammogram won't prevent you from getting breast cancer—but it's also true that the earlier it's detected the greater the likelihood you'll need less treatment. When we can diagnose breast cancer at stage 0, then chemo doesn't even factor into the treatment equation. And that's no small thing.

Do you have a friend or relative who hasn't gone for a mammogram in a while? Offer to go with her. Make it a two-fer: You get yours and she gets hers. Then go out to lunch to celebrate your good decisions.

Your mother hasn't gone for a while ... or ever? Take her. What a great way to tell her you love her and want her to take good care of herself so she'll be here with you longer.

Sadly, getting a mammogram doesn't guarantee an early diagnosis for everyone. And sometimes cancer is present but the mammogram doesn't show it. But the mammogram still remains the gold standard for early detection.

So get your mammogram. You deserve it.