Cancer Survivors volunteer with Portneuf Health, importance of early detection in breast cancer
POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Cars lined up around the block at Portneuf Medical Center on Wednesday morning to receive a free breakfast and goodie bag and drive through a line of pink balloons to raise awareness for breast cancer.
The "Brake for Breakfast" event is in its 27th year, aiming to encourage women aged 40 and older to schedule routine mammograms. Early detection of breast cancer could be the life-saving difference in someone's cancer journey. Patients and survivors were among the volunteers for the event.
The bags included breakfast items, a pamphlet with information about breast cancer screening and the team at Portneuf Health, and a spatula to fit this year's theme, "Flip Awareness into Action."
Whether a patient has a history of cancer in their family or not, regular mammogram screenings are essential procedures for early detection. Doctors recommend starting yearly screenings at age 40, unless there is a direct familial relation to cancer, in which case they recommend starting 10 years before the family member's diagnosis.
"We can find things on mammograms way sooner than you would notice it yourself," said Abby Wilcox, a mammography technologist. "It's important to get it checked and not put it off and wait."
If the cancer is caught in an earlier stage, the prognosis is better and it limits chemotherapy or radiation treatments, as well as potential surgeries.
"It's just a little bit of discomfort, 10-15 minutes once a year, for that little of peace of mind," said Maria Salas, mammography technologist. "It's worth it."
Ann Wilcox, one of the volunteers at this year's Brake for Breakfast, is a breast cancer survivor. She said she knew she had a lump, but waited several months until her annual mammogram to get it checked.
"I had my mammogram in September, and got surgery in December," Wilcox said. "Once that healed, I did a month of radiation. It changes things, but I kind of try not to think about it."
Wilcox said while the journey was challenging and something to forget, it has made her more grateful for the everyday things. She encourages everyone to get their yearly screenings because the technicians can find things you won't see on your own.
"I recognize the importance of knowing what to expect and what to look for and how that minimized and affected my case personally," Wilcox said. "I'm just trying to help other people see that not only in breast cancer or cancer in general, but all other diseases."
In March, Lisa Robinson, a single mother in Pocatello, was diagnosed with breast cancer with invasive ductal carcenoma. Since then, Robinson has received chemotherapy treatment at Portneuf Medical Center, and will celebrate her final round next week.
Robinson also stated early detection was key for her journey. She had zero symptoms and found her cancer at a yearly mammogram appointment. Robinson stated she didn't know that one in eight women will get breast cancer in their lifetime, and that she feels lucky to have caught hers early.
"When it's in those really early stages, there is a 99% chance of recovery," Robinson said. "The nurses have been so fantastic, they get to know you on a personal basis when you come in for treatment, and I love that."
Robinson said she never expected to be someone who would advocate for breast cancer awareness, proudly wearing pink and preaching yearly mammograms.
"I think it's great to get the word out to people, even my friends, I always tell them, don't skip this," she said. "Because this has probably been the hardest thing I've ever been through, and I don't want to see anyone go through a chronic disease."
How to schedule a mammogram
Women who would like to schedule a mammogram with Portneuf Health can call 208-239-1500 or visit Portneuf.org/mammo.
Portneuf Health also has the traveling 3-D Mammography Bus to go to remote and rural locations for ease of screening appointments. To schedule the bus to come to your workplace location, you can call 208-251-8756.
