Early Detection Made All the Difference
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to share stories, raise awareness, and remind us all of the power of screening. This year, our own Medical Director, Jeri Wohlberg, is sharing her personal experience with breast cancer, along with her clinical recommendations for screening.
Always Knowing It Might Be There
“My mother had breast cancer in her 50s, so I always knew that it might be lurking. I started having mammograms at age 35, and was very careful to do all the things that statistically decrease your chances of developing breast cancer: exercise, eat a healthy diet, avoid alcohol, and don’t smoke.
“I was used to going for my yearly mammogram, which I affectionately refer to as my ‘boob squishing,’ and then not thinking about it again until I got the letter in the mail saying ‘everything is normal, see you next year.’”
The Call
“But when the phone rang, the caller ID said radiology, and they told me I needed to come back for more imaging, my heart sank. I tried to convince myself it was okay, but I was really anxious about it. When I went in for my ultrasound and saw the telltale tiny star-shaped mass on the black and white screen, I already knew that I had breast cancer. Biopsy confirmed this.”
Treatment, and the People Who Carried Me
“For months I had countless appointments, surgery, and a month of radiation, followed by medications to prevent recurrence. The reality of having cancer has been very challenging at times, but through the support of family, friends, coworkers, and especially other women who have walked this path before me, I am doing okay.
“Finding the cancer early through screening mammography meant that my treatment was much simpler than it could have been, and the chances that my breast cancer will never come back are very high.”
Cancer Can Happen to Anyone
“I often hear from patients, ‘I don’t have any family history of breast cancer.’ But the reality is that most breast cancer is not familial, meaning it can happen to anyone. Early detection is the key, so go get your mammogram!”
The Importance of Screening
By Jeri Wohlberg, Medical Director, Northern Counties Health Care
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF, 2024) recommends screening mammography every two years for all average-risk women aged 40 to 74. Many professional organizations recommend yearly screening instead. It’s best to discuss your individual situation with your health care provider and come up with a screening plan that’s right for you.
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, take a moment to schedule your screening, and encourage the women you love to do the same.
