Amy Mickelson: Breast Cancer

Amy Mickelson, wife of pro golfer Phil Mickelson, has been diagnosed with breast cancer - her husband has dropped everything to be at her side. Amy Mickelson is expected to go into surgery in the next two weeks.

According to a release issued by Mickelson's management company, Amy is expected to have "major" surgery, possibly within the next two weeks. She has had a battery of tests according to the release and more are scheduled.

The couple married in 1996 and have three children, aged nine, seven and six.

Mickelson was due to play the HP Byron Nelson Championship in Dallas beginning Thursday and defend his Crown Plaza Invitational at Colonial in Fort Worth next week. There was no word on whether Mickelson will miss next month's U.S. Open at Bethpage but at this point, his participation would have to be considered a long shot.

Over 80% of all women that are diagnosed with breast cancer show no signs of the disease spreading to lymph nodes and surrounding tissues. 80% of those women will live five years or longer. Even women who have metastases can live a long time. Thanks to new research and advancements in medicine the prognosis for breast cancer is improving everyday.

Women should be engaging in monthly breast self-exams:
A breast self-exam is a set procedure a woman should follow monthly in order to check for lumps in her breasts.  To perform an exam, first begin by standing naked in front of a mirror with your hands firmly on your hips.  Examine your breasts to see if they have had any changes in things such as size, shape, or texture.  Then, raise your arm slightly and feel your armpit for any lumps there – do this for both underarms.  Finally, lie down and raise one arm above your head.  With the middle three fingers of the opposite hand, and using small circular motions, feel your breast tissue for lumps or changes.  This should be done with various degrees of pressure, and you should move your fingers in a very methodical up and down pattern in order to ensure coverage of the entire breast.