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Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Feature Silent Symptoms Portrait of Jennifer Borgfjord wearing her important message to women written on her t-shirt - Know you're Lemons. Essentially it means that women should know their breast health and advocate for themselves because the province is failing them in this area. Breast Cancer story about Jennifer Borgfjord and Heather Brister, two women with dense breasts that did not have their cancerous tumours identified during their routine mammograms because they did not show up. Both women should’ve been told they needed an ultrasound or an MRI due to the nature of their breast tissue being dense which could’ve avoided the tumours from growing undetected. Heather was 44 when she found a 2cm lump during a self-breast exam. She had a mammogram, was told she was fine, and sent back home. 7 months later that lump was 10cm. She has had to have a mastectomy and the risk of the cancer spreading. She has been told to basically live a full life as much as she can. Similar story with Jennifer except that her tumour was removed, and she is considered to be in a stable condition. She must take a bunch of meds daily. The story is about how the MB health system has failed these women and how other women in the province should advocate for themselves. Additionally in the province women are not allowed to self-refer for mammograms. Story by AV Kitching Sept 25th, 2024