The
Importance of Breast Cancer Awareness
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, which is an
important month for many Omaha women like Lori Clements, 47,
and Audrey Graves, 30. These women know firsthand how
important awareness, knowledge, and early detection are to
overcoming this deadly disease.
Beating the odds
According to Stacie Sarasio, regional director of
communications for the American Cancer Society, 1,160
Nebraska residents will be diagnosed with breast cancer and
220 will die from the disease in 2007.
Graves, who was diagnosed in early 2006, said that she
was determined to beat these odds and be there for her
husband, Tim, 34, and son, Ethan, two. "I constantly looked
at Ethan and knew that I had to be strong for him," she
said. "Everything that I was going through was needed to
make sure that I could have as many years as I could with
him. I pictured the future: first day at school, first date,
graduation, college, his wedding, and becoming a grandma. I
do not want to miss any of this and will do whatever it
takes to make sure that I am here for all of these special
moments."
After having a bilateral mastectomy, the beginning stages
of reconstruction, and a sentinel lymph node dissection in
April of 2006, her doctors discovered that the cancer had
spread to her lymph nodes. Graves said that this meant just
three weeks after her initial surgery she had to have
another one to remove the rest of the lymph nodes and
undergo eight rounds of chemotherapy. The treatment was
successful and she has been cancer-free for a little over a
year.
For Clements, the battle with breast cancer began in
September of 1996 when she discovered a lump during a
self-exam. Once she was diagnosed with cancer, she had a
lumpectomy with a lymphoid dissection, but because the
cancer had spread, Clements also had six chemotherapy
treatments, 33 radiation treatments and was put on Tamoxfin
for about years.
Unfortunately, Clements’ cancer came back five years
later. This time she had to have a mastectomy and endure
chemotherapy for another six months. Ten years since her
first cancer and five years since the second cancer,
Clements is in remission.
When her battle with breast cancer began Clements’
children, Dustin, 26, Cami, 24, Derek, 21, and Calli, 16
were very young. Much like Graves, Clements focused on
beating the cancer and being there for them. "I didn’t have
any really scary thoughts," she said. "I just thought okay,
here is another challenge to make me stronger. What do I
have to do to get rid of it and get back to my normal life?"
Staying strong
Many women like Clements and Grave, have to find a way to
stay strong for their children while battling breast cancer.
Graves said this was especially difficult because there were
days when she was simply too weak to care for her son.
"There were many days that Ethan had to go to daycare while
I was at home resting," she said. "I tried to save all of my
energy so I would be able to play with him in the evenings."
Redefining life
Besides learning to make time to take care of herself,
Graves also learned to enjoy life more. "After being
diagnosed with cancer, I have realized that there are so
many things in life to appreciate and not to spend your time
sweating over the small stuff," she said..
Knowledge is power
According to Sarasio, age, history of breast cancer, and
high breast tissue density are all risk factors of breast
cancer. She said it’s important for every woman to know and
adhere to the following American Cancer Society screening
guidelines.
- Yearly mammograms starting at the age of 40
- Yearly clinical breast exams for women 40 and older
- Periodic clinical breast exams for women in their
20s and 30s
- Regular self breast exams
For women with a family history, genetic tendency, or
past breast cancer, Sarasio recommends speaking to a
physician about the benefits and limitations of starting
mammography screenings earlier, having additional tests, or
more frequent exams.
Sarasio explained that early detection is key to
overcoming breast cancer because treatment is typically more
effective. "Numerous studies have shown that early detection
saves lives and increases treatment options," she said. "The
recent declines in breast cancer mortality among women have
been attributed to a combination of early detection and
improvements in treatment."
Graves recommends all women to listen to Sarasio’s advice
and start taking the time to do self-exams. "At 29 years
old, the last thing that I thought I would have to worry
about was breast cancer," she said. "Early detection may
have saved my life. I was able to get the treatment I needed
to beat cancer."
