On a seemingly normal day, Patty Krug of Medford performed her routine breast self-exam. This day however, would prove to be anything but normal as she found a large lump on one of her breasts. “After I found the lump I realized it had been 3-4 months since I checked last,” says Patty. “I was negligent for not checking for that long, and I did remember 3-4 months ago there was no lump.”
A Breast self-exam (BSE), or regularly examining your breasts on your own, is an important way to find breast cancer early, when it's more likely to be treated successfully. Not every cancer can be found this way, but it is a critical step you can and should take for yourself.
Patty went to Aspirus Medford Clinics – Medford to have the lump checked.. Sandy Hoogland, PA-C, MPAS, sent her for a mammogram and received an ultrasound based on her mammogram during the appointment. The radiologist during the appointment told Patty, she would need the lump out immediately. The next day, the lump was removed. “I can clearly remember being wheeled down the hallway after surgery and seeing my doctor, my husband and my best friend,” says Patty. “I could see in their eyes that it was cancer, even before they told me.”
After final testing of the removed lump, it was conclusive – stage 2 Breast Cancer. “I was diagnosed at 40 years old; my kids were 10 and 13,” says Patty. “I wondered if I was going to be around for their big life events. Thankfully I have been – I’ve seen both of my kids get married.”
A week after her lumpectomy, Patty underwent a mastectomy and had additional testing of her lymph nodes to ensure the cancer hadn’t spread. Once that was clear, Patty started chemo therapy treatments for the next four months. During and following chemo, Patty continued to have her labs and mammograms completed at Aspirus Medford Hospital.
“When you’re in a small town, you get that small town care,” says Patty of the care she received at Aspirus Medford Hospital. “People are vested in you; they are the people in your community. If I felt scared or had any questions, they were there to comfort me.”
Today, Patty continues to have routine annual mammograms and a yearly check with Dr. Ahuja, oncologist with Aspirus Medford Hospital.
Through her experience, Patty feels strongly that prevention is the best medicine. She wants women to know that you always have the option to get a mammogram. “There is no reason not to; there are programs out there to assist with payment,” says Patty. “Even if you don’t have insurance, Aspirus Medford Hospital can provide free mammograms through different grant programs. There is no excuse for a woman not to get a mammogram.”
To watch her video, click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PzknLi5cAE.
About 1 in 8 women in the US will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. The American Cancer Society estimates about 232,340 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in 2013.
Source: American Cancer Society & BreastCancer.org