Early detection of breast cancer can save lives, yet many still fail to schedule, or choose to ignore or postpone, appointments for mammograms because of misdirected embarrassment, lack of support, or fear. 

 The MammySlammy Book addresses the reasons for avoidance and tells how to erase all the excuses by turning the annual ‘glamour shot’ into a celebration of life.  It provides you with an innovative way to make mammography fun and stress-free as women wisely join together to ensure their good health and quality of life. Detect, isolate, and treat breast cancer before it becomes yet another tragic story. Have that yearly exam, but do it with friends, chocolate, gifts, balloons, and celebration!

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St. Anthony resident Sharon Marler has written a book that will save lives and inspire people to think out of the box about breast cancer prevention and treatment. The MammySlammy: Mammograms with Courage and Humor, draws on a creative idea Sharon actualized several years ago that has made life-changing differences in many women's lives by helping them prevent, heal, and live through breast cancer.

The MammySlammy: Mammograms with Courage and Humor unveils Sharon's invention— the MammySlammy, a fun-packed all-women's party, the centerpiece of which is a mammogram.

MammySlammy parties are so much fun that women actually make them an annual event they look forward to attending. Where else do you get to wear a tiara and dress in clothes and shoes you just shopped for with your girlfriends? Before or after the mammogram, you may visit a tattoo parlor and finally get that pretty rose etched into your shoulder or some other cool design painted on your ankle— who cares that you are in your 50's or 60's, or 70.s? Or you may stop by a spa for a relaxing facial or massage, and share an awesome dinner at a great restaurant with the gals you “mammy slammied” with, all wearing big smiles and colorful tee shirts sporting the phrase, “I got slammed!”

Whether it's tattoos or tantalizing desserts, the MammySlammy event is geared toward making a mammogram fun and comfortable for the women who get together— whatever their lifestyle. In the book, Sharon explains how to make the arrangements for the segment of the party that takes place at the medical facility that gives the test. She talks about the MammySlammy events she has planned and gives suggestions that will help you plan one for yourself and your friends. She shows you how to battle the fear and embarrassment you may feel when you think of having a mammogram done.

Sharon came up with the MammySlammy idea several years ago when she decided she did not want to go through an annual mammogram without some sisterly support. She had survived breast cancer and knew that the test was necessary— but still, it was a frightening hurdle to jump over.

You are going to love the story of that first party, how the friendships have grown, and how the women now help the cancer community by participating in an annul Relay for Life event in Idaho Falls.

The second part of The MammySlammy looks at what happens if the mammogram finds cancer, as it did in Sharon's case, after her first mammogram. It is Sharon's very personal, inspiring story of battling breast cancer. Do not read this without a box of tissues close by. Sharon's struggles were long, difficult, and often frustrating— only a person with a big heart and heroic character can survive what she went through. During her treatment and healing, Sharon had special goals she wanted to meet in her professional life. This played a huge role in helping her get through her trial because the inner strength she drew on to meet her professional goals fortified the healing energy required to overcome the cancer. Bottom line, Sharon is not a quitter. People with her level of persistence attract the support they need to make it through bad times— people want to cheer her on. Support was consistent and meaningful from her loving husband Dick, their children, friends, and what she calls her “comforter friend” from the spirit world. A dark challenge or two came along— they always do when people struggle toward the light. You will read how Sharon found a way to let the hard times teach her a positive lesson. Best of all—Sharon has been cancer free for 20 years.

The last section of The MammySlammy lists resources on breast cancer awareness and treatment and has places to record memories and photos from MammySlammy events you arrange and attend.

Sharon has also launched the MammySlammy Web site: It is still under development, but now has book ordering information and a feedback feature so you can write to Sharon. Later on, it will include stories of people who attended Mammy Slammy events, schedules of Mammy Slammy events and Sharon Marler appearances, stories of breast cancer battles, and links to more information.

Ladies, The MammySlammy: Mammograms with Courage and Humor by Sharon Marler is a perfect gift for your girlfriends, moms, daughters, and doctors. Guys— give one to your wife or sweetie.

Woman turns cancer experience into book, help for other women
By BRIAN DAVIDSON
Post Register • 3-19-03  IDAHO FALLS ID

ST. ANTHONY - This is not a subject, a story or a book just for women.

This is for husbands and fathers, for families. This is for anyone going through the trauma of breast cancer or any woman anxious about her next mammogram. This all started 20 years ago when Sharon Marler found a lump in one of her breasts. 

On her 40th birthday, she was in the hospital, having that cancer removed. "I did everything by the book," she said. At 38, the age when gall bladder problems often arise in women, she had hers out. At 40, when breast cancer becomes of greater concern, she was in the hospital. 

A few years ago, she decided she didn't want to become a statistic.   "You think, after 15 years, you've beaten cancer," she said. Like many women, cancer survivors and not, she was dreading her next mammogram, a procedure known to produce some discomfort. To bolster her courage, she turned her appointment into a party and brought a few friends along. And the MammySlammy - the name she gives her parties - complete with balloons, decorations, treats, card games and a chick flick was born. 

This February, Marler published, "The MammySlammy - Mammograms with Courage and Humor," a book that tells her story, the stories of friends who also have fought cancer, advises women on how to hold MammySlammys of their own and space for women to record their experiences. 

"If this book does something to help other women help themselves, I'll be grateful," she said. "There's no sainthood involved. Just an obligation we as human beings should have for one another."  

Her first party raised eyebrows. An employee at the Idaho Imaging Center, part of Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls, asked if she had the wrong number when she called about a party room. "We'd never had that kind of request," said Wendy Mickelsen, imaging center coordinator. "We'd never had anyone ask if a group could come in together." But they set aside a room for the women and scheduled their appointments for one afternoon. 

Since then, the group has set a precedent, with other groups coming in for similar parties. "Sharon by far does the most planning, with decorations, the whole day planned," Mickelsen said. "I think it's a good concept. There is comfort in numbers. This is something that's easier to do when you do it with your friends, make it a fun deal. It takes the individual stress and anxiety off. The test itself isn't painful, and it's fast. I think anxiety comes from getting the results."  

For the past three years, Marler and her friends have held MammySlammys. Last year's coincided with the Breast Cancer Relay for Life held at Idaho Falls High School's Ravsten Stadium. She's thrilled to be able to share her story - and her idea - with others. "This isn't a whiny book about cancer," she said. "It's positive, it's upbeat. it's honest." 

Her story details the anger, denial and fear she and her family went through as she battled cancer. She didn't realize how much her illness affected her family until she and her daughter, Melissa, were looking over photographs from the first camping trip the family took after her recovery. "I never really looked at what the chemotherapy did to me, but I saw in one picture in particular how bloated and pasty looking I looked," she said. "It was the ugliest picture in the whole world, so I ripped it up."  Her daughter blanched as Marler tore the photo and started yelling. She realized that to her daughter, the picture represented the first time in a long time the family was able to laugh and play together. "To a 15-year-old, that picture represented a return to normalcy, and I tore it up," Marler said. "She said it was probably the prettiest picture she'd ever seen of me. It's taken years to come to terms with that. It takes some time to outgrow that kind of hurt." 

She hopes her book will reduce the anxiety surrounding mammograms and encourage families to talk when cancer is detected to help avoid that kind of hurt. "I'll be thrilled if I hear this concept helps," she said.