THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | WEDNESDAY, october 7, 2015
The Power of Pink
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October Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Inside: THINK PINK ROWING THE DISTANCE EXERCISING POWER
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THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | wednesday, october 7, 2015
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Think pink: Central Ohio active in fight against breast cancer
All of us have been touched by cancer in some way, either personally or through someone we know, value or love. And, a question we often ask is, “What can I do to help?” When it comes to the fight against breast cancer, you can think pink. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and throughout the month there are opportunities for Columbusarea residents to raise awareness and money to fight breast cancer, all while wearing the signature breast cancer pink — the color that has become synonymous with breast cancer awareness. From an Ohio State football game to local stores, pink will pop up throughout the month as businesses, organizations and citizens bring awareness and money to this important cause. In 2015, there will be an estimated 8,950 new cases of breast cancer in Ohio, according to the American Cancer Society, and there will be 1,740 estimated deaths due to breast cancer. The money raised during October events and fundraisers — in addition to money raised all year — goes to research breast cancer, raise awareness of the issue and provide support for those affected by breast cancer.
THE POWER OF PINK Breast Cancer Awarenss
Vice President Sales Stephen Zonars Special Sections Editor Rebecca Walters Special Sections Writer Carolyn Dix Remer
Photo courtesy tim callahan, american cancer society
By carolyn dix remer dispatch media group
The American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk will be held Oct. 11. Here just a few of the ways you can play a part in the fight against breast cancer this October: Ohio State vs. Maryland football game, Oct. 10 — The annual breast cancer awareness Ohio State football game will be Oct. 10 against Maryland, said Jerry Emig, associate director of communications for Ohio State football. The players will wear pink accents, such as gloves or towels, and the Buckeyes Cruise For Cancer is sponsoring the game. Breast cancer survivors will also be recognized on the field at halftime. In addition, Pink Out at Ohio State is an Ohio State Universityrecognized student organization that has been on campus since 2011. The students hold the “pink out” during the Ohio State breast cancer awareness game, selling pink T-shirts to raise money and awareness for
breast cancer. The student group donates the profits to the Stefanie Spielman Fund. Alyssa Pastor, president of Pink Out at Ohio State, said their goal this year is to exceed the $20,000 they donated in 2014. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, Oct. 11 — The three to five-mile walk organized by the American Cancer Society is a celebration of patients, survivors and programs that the American Cancer Society supports, said Marshall Brown, community manager for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. The money raised goes toward research and programs to “finish the fight” against breast cancer, he said. “The local impact is a big deal. The more people who come out, the more awareness there is and the more opportunity we have to educate people.”
The Power of Pink is a publication of The Columbus Dispatch’s Advertising Department. For more information, call (614) 461-5000.
Aveda Institute Columbus, Oct. 14 — Aveda Institute Columbus will be hosting its Beauty For A Cure Event at both its Neil Avenue and High Street locations. Customers can receive complimentary haircuts, makeup application, polish changes and neck and shoulder massages. Aveda suggests a $10 donation per service, which will go toward the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer. “Aveda is very community conscious,” said Hema Voruganti, sales and marketing manager for Aveda Institute Columbus, noting that this event helps bring awareness to the cause. “So many breast cancer survivors come,” she said. “It’s very heartwarming.” Cleveland Browns, Oct. 18 — The Cleveland Browns breast cancer awareness game will be the home game Oct. 18 against the Denver Broncos. “As in past years, the Browns will recognize breast cancer awareness patients and survivors during the pregame,” said Rob McBurnett, communications coordinator for the Cleveland Browns, noting that Browns players and staff will visit Cleveland’s University Hospital oncology floor during the week leading up to the game. The Browns will wear pink gear such as gloves and cleats, and 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of pink-themed Browns gear and Continued on next page
Photo courtesy Pink Out
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merchandise at the Browns Pro Shop and online will go to the American Cancer Society. Hope’s Boutique Vendor Day, Oct. 23 — Hope’s Boutique, located on the first floor of The Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center, is hosting a Vendor Day on Oct. 23. Company representatives for everything from mastectomy bras to wigs and makeup vendors will be available. “The boutique helps women undergoing cancer treatment with
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | WEDNESDAY, october 7, 2015
wig and undergarment fittings among many other supportive services,” said Amanda Harper, director of media relations for The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center — Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute. Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Athens, Oct. 25 — The inaugural Athens Race for the Cure will take place Oct. 25 at Ohio University. According to the Susan G. Komen Columbus website, the funds raised from the Athens Race for the Cure will stay in central and southeastern Ohio, supporting services and programs specific to the region.
There is no routine breast cancer. Breast cancer is never logical or straightforward or routine. That’s why fighting breast cancer with routine treatment just isn’t enough. At The James, you get the expertise of a multidisciplinary team that specializes not just in cancer but breast cancer. They apply their collective thinking toward discovering the most effective therapies, and delivering them at exactly the right time, for you – which means you can count on comprehensive breast cancer care that’s far beyond routine. To learn more, visit cancer.osu.edu.
Panera Bread Co. — During October, Panera Bread Co. will be selling Pink Ribbon Bagels at 39 of its central Ohio locations, with proceeds going to the Stefanie Spielman Fund. “Over the past five years, our organization has raised more than $600,000 for the Spielman Fund through Pink Ribbon Bagel sales and additional fundraising efforts,” said Liz Fiorino, regional marketing director for Covelli Enterprises, a centralOhio Panera franchisee. “Last year, more than 45,000 Pink Ribbon Bagels were sold in central Ohio.” Panera Pink Ribbon Bagels sold during October will benefit the Stefanie Spielman Fund.
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THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | wednesday, october 7, 2015
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MOUNT CARMEL
New tissue-marking technology increases accuracy of breast cancer treatment
Shilpa Padia, MD, and Bridget O’Brien, DO, Mount Carmel Breast Surgery. Breast cancer awareness has done wonders for early detection. Now technology, like a new tissue marker being used by Mount Carmel breast surgeons, is doing the same when it comes to increasing the accuracy of treatment and reducing the recurrence rate in women who do get the disease. One such technology is the BioZorbTM tissue marker. It’s a tiny coil that’s inserted into the breast at the same time and in the precise location where the cancer is removed. The 2-by-2-centimeter coil holds several titanium clips that fan out to mark the tumor’s former location. It’s not done for posterity, of course. It’s done to make the radiation therapy that follows surgery more precise and effective. “It’s crucial that the radiation oncologist be able to see where the tumor was located so they can target the beam of radiation to that precise spot,” said Dr. Bridget O’Brien, a fellowship-trained breast surgical oncologist with Mount Carmel Breast Surgery who’s already used the technology with multiple patients. “The marker gives them a 3-D outline of the lumpectomy cavity so they can more accurately administer a boost of radiation.” That “boost” helps eliminate any microscopic cancer cells that might remain around the margins of the
tumor removal site. And because it’s so targeted, it can lead to fewer treatments, which is welcome news for any patient. “Because we’re pursuing cures, we tend to err on the side of treating a larger area when there’s uncertainty,” said Mount Carmel radiation oncologist Dr. Douglas Widman. “That was common prior to the BioZorbTM. The marker allows for better delineation of this tissue, smaller boost areas, less damage to the good tissue and hopefully less treatment and a better cure rate going forward.” It also gives patients more choices. “I think many breast cancer patients believe a mastectomy is their only option,” said Dr. Shilpa Padia, a fellowship-trained breast surgical oncologist with Mount Carmel Breast Surgery. “We’ve long known that a partial mastectomy or lumpectomy given with radiation therapy has the same survival benefit as a mastectomy. The BioZorbTM device is helping us make those treatments even more accurate.” Mount Carmel is one of the first hospital systems in central Ohio to have purchased and used the BioZorbTM technology. To learn more about innovative cancer treatments at Mount Carmel, visit mountcarmelhealth.com/ cancercare.
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THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | WEDNESDAY, october 7, 2015
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survivor story
Have faith: Joetta’s story By Carolyn Dix Remer Dispatch Media Group When Joetta McCruter-Polk took her 91-year-old mother in for a doctor’s visit last year, the last thing she expected was to be facing her own health issue. She went to the restroom before heading home from her mother’s, but noticed her chocolate brown sweater was wet. “What is that?� she remembered thinking. She lifted her sweater and discovered she had discharge coming from her left breast. She asked her mother’s aide to call her husband, who told her to call the doctor and be seen immediately. The earliest appointment the doctor had was on Monday, which McCruter-Polk said gave her an entire weekend to worry. On Saturday, blood started coming out of her breast. On Sunday she was lying in her mother’s bed, and her grand niece Ava Jo was running around singing, “I need a little more Jesus.� McCruter-Polk decided that was exactly what she needed, and she went to the afternoon church service. And while the pastor did not know there was anything wrong with her, he called her out during the service. He told her that God was going to heal her, and that her sickness would not come back, McCruter-Polk said. She was stunned, she remembered, because no one knew about her issue, but she was comforted, keeping those words in mind when she went to her doctor’s appointment the next day. McCruter-Polk was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. “I do normal breast exams,� she told her doctor, who was shocked that there hadn’t been any prior symptoms. The doctor told her she might need to have her nipple or even her entire breast removed, but to McCruter-Polk’s relief, that proved unneces-
sary. The tumor was behind her nipple, which was causing the bleeding, but they did not need to remove her Joetta McCruter-Polk nipple. She underwent chemotherapy, losing weight and her hair. “I couldn’t even appreciate being skinny,� she joked. There were other side effects, too. Side effects you don’t often hear about. McCruter-Polk said her skin color changed, becoming blotchy. Between the surgery, chemo and radiation, she said her breasts felt like leather. And, she got very sick from all the different medications. “It was something,� she said, but she was a woman of faith. She said her faith in God got her through it, along with the love and support of her husband, mother and the rest of her family, as well as her church and work families. About a year after she was first diagnosed, in early 2015, McCruterPolk went in for an appointment. The nurse told her she was cancer-free. “What a journey,� she said, reflecting back on her experience. “Where did this come from?� She admitted she was one of those people who didn’t think cancer could happen to her. “What a reality,� she said. For others who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, McCruterPolk said to become educated about your disease — what to do and what not to do. And, she said to let people help you. “People will want to help you. It’s OK to receive help.�
Breast self-exam guidelines (MS) — In addition to scheduling clinical screenings and mammograms, women should routinely examine and massage their breasts to detect any abnormalities. These breast self-exams can be an important part of early breast cancer detection. Experts at Johns Hopkins Medical Center advise adult women of all ages to perform self-examinations at least once a month. That’s because 40 percent of diagnosed breast cancers are first detected by women who feel a lump. Establishing a regular breast self-exam schedule is very important. Begin by looking at the breasts in a mirror. Note the size and appearance of the breasts, and pay attention to any changes that are normal parts of hormonal changes associated with menstruation. Breasts should be evenly shaped without distortion or swelling. Changes that should cause concern include dimpling, puckering or bulg-
ing of the skin. Inverted nipples or nipples that have changed position, as well as any rash or redness, should be noted. In addition, the same examination should be done with arms raised over the head. The breasts should be felt while both lying down and standing up. Use the right hand to manipulate the left breast and vice versa. Use a firm touch with the first few fingers of the hand. Cover the entire breast in circular motions. All tissue, from the front to the back of the breast, should be felt. The same pattern and procedure should be conducted while standing up. Many women find this easiest to do while in the shower. Not every lump is breast cancer. And bumps may actually be normal parts of the breast, as certain areas can feel different than others. But bring any concerns to the attention of your doctor.
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THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | WEDNESDAY, october 7, 2015
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Rowing the distance By carolyn dix remer dispatch media group It’s not often that you see a pink racing shell out on the water, but that is exactly what you’ll see at Hoover Reservoir. The rowers in this eyecatching boat? A team of breast cancer survivors. The row team was started by a group of breast cancer survivors 10 years ago as a support system, and a handful of the original rowers are still on the 16-member team today. “We have over 100 years of survivorship on the team, which is pretty awesome,” said Brian Haas, the rowing team’s coach for the past six years. “A lot of rowers join for support reasons. We’re like a family,” he said, adding the team members go to each other’s homes and attend one another’s events. “It’s a wonderful group of women,” said Pat Stewart, a breast cancer survivor who has rowed with the team for four years, after learning about it from a flyer in her oncologist’s office. “I like the physical activity but also the camaraderie. Everyone knows what you’ve been through.”
Plus, when it comes down to it, rowing speaks to the survivor mentality, Haas said. “Rowing is one of the few sports that is truly a team sport. There are no star players. Everyone does the same strokes. We’re all in it together.” The breast cancer survivors row team starts practicing in early summer on Hoover Reservoir. There are new rowers every year, Haas said. After practicing over the summer months, the team travels around the Midwest for regattas. The team recently placed second out of four teams at the Head of the
Rowing team members from left to right, Bekah Maccaughey, Linda Hall, Kelly Wagner, Tori Johnson, Pat Stewart and Julia Harvey. The team recently participated in a regatta in Cleveland and placed second.
Cuyahoga regatta in Cleveland, a 4800-meter course, beating the thirdplace team by just over a second. “The ladies were over the moon excited,” Haas said. If you want to cheer on the Breast
Cancer Survivors Rowing Team in person, you can attend the Columbus Fall Classic on Oct. 10. “Anytime we get on the water, people’s faces light up,” Haas said. “They love to see us out there.”
The James offers individualized breast cancer treatment options for older women By Rebecca Walters Dispatch Media Group Dr. Ewa Mrozek is an oncologist who specializes in treating women with breast cancer, specifically those who are 70 and older. She is an assistant professor of internal medicine, and she founded the Senior Adult Breast Cancer Clinic at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James). Older women with pre-existing health conditions may be at a higher risk of not tolerating traditional treatment plans. As well, based on their individual needs and preferences, these women may choose not to undergo standard treatment at all. We sat down with Dr. Mrozek to discuss emerging breast cancer treatments and therapies for older women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and how these approaches can improve their quality of life. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. How common is it in older women? Breast cancer is a disease of age. This current population is being driven by the baby boomer generation, which is aging rapidly. The median age of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer is 61 years old. About 43 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer are older than 65, and almost 30 percent are older than 70. Is this age group an under rep-
resented segment when it comes to clinical trials and research? Yes, but we are trying to change that. For example, only about 4 percent of breast cancer patients enrolled in the clinical studies were 70 and older. The underrepresentation of older women with breast cancer in the clinical studies has multiple causes including varying functional status of the patient, comorbidities (simultaneous conditions) and social support of older patients, bias among physicians and patients as well as the design of clinical trials with very rigid entry criteria. Older patients frequently don’t qualify because of the additional maladies they have. In addition, some physicians are less inclined to refer patients for studies because of the concerns of side effects associated with chemotherapy treatment. The willingness of older patients to participate in studies is not significantly different from younger patients, but they are disqualified because of other conditions. Therefore clinical research is needed to gather evidence of the benefits and harms of various treatment options for older patients with breast cancer. This requires expanding the breadth and depth of data collected on cancer interventions in older adults. What are the risk factors associated with breast cancer in older women? With the exception of genetic disposition carriers (women who are
more likely to get cancer at a younger age because of their family history), older women have the same risk factors as younger women, including Dr. Ewa Mrozek the onset and cessation of their menstrual cycles and having or not having children. But breast cancer can also be linked to hormone therapy in older women. How is The James’ approach to treatment or therapy different for older women? In May 2014, The James opened the Senior Adult Breast Cancer Clinic to serve the complex needs of older patient with breast cancer and to provide the comprehensive geriatric assessment. Research has shown that comprehensive geriatric assessment is the most appropriate way to obtain information on the global health and functional status and reserve capabilities of older individuals. This clinic forms the basis for concentration of patient data and development of novel clinical trials for older patients with breast cancer. Every patient receives a comprehensive geriatric assessment, which takes into account her physical, mental and social needs. They meet with a medical oncology doctor, a pharmacist, a geriatric nurse practitio-
ner, a social worker and, if necessary, a physical therapist. From there we decide the best way to treat the patient and identify whether they are at risk of not receiving enough treatment or potentially being over-treated. Is there an age-bias when it comes to treating breast cancer in older women? Is there a risk of under treating or over treating a patient based on her age? The chronological age by itself is not a reliable estimate of functional reserve or the risk of treatment complications. We base our decisions on treatment plans after we conduct the geriatric assessment. At the conclusion of each visit, the multidisciplinary team will develop an individualized oncologic treatment plan based on geriatric assessment results and a patient’s goals. A patient falls into one of three categories: fit and fully functional, vulnerable or frail. Frail patients will receive a recommendation to proceed with palliation of symptoms and maintaining the highest quality of life. Fit patients will proceed with standard treatment. We use all of the data available to us to determine if a patient is a candidate for surgery or chemotherapy, or both or neither. Sometimes we need to get a patient healthier before we can start a treatment plan. We talk to the patient and then tailor the treatment plan. Of course, the final decision is always up to the patient.
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THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | wednesday, october 7, 2015
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Exercising power: An exercise program for cancer patients By Carolyn Dix Remer Dispatch Media Group Women who have survived breast cancer — or who are going through treatment — are exercising power over their bodies. They are taking the extra step — stepping on a treadmill or elliptical, hopping on an exercise bike and even diving into a pool as part of the Wolfe Foundation Cancer Wellness Program at Ohio Health McConnell Heart Health Center, all to improve their health and quality of life. There have not always been wellness programs for breast cancer patients, but the McConnell Heart Health Center sought to change that. “After heart surgery, you go through programs where you gradually progress,” said Laura Leach, a clinical exercise physiologist with the Wolfe Foundation Cancer Wellness Program. “But we weren’t doing anything specifically for people diagnosed with cancer,” she said. For example, she noted that fatigue is a huge issue for many cancer patients. “Cancer fatigue is drastically different than regular fatigue, and it can last longer,” she said. So, six years ago they came up with a pilot exercise and wellness program for cancer patients, and with the help of the first group who entered the program and its “physician champion,” oncologist Dr. Thomas Sweeney, the program took off. “The first group was so amazing that it really inspired us. We thought, we can do this,” Leach
said. “It was such a good program to go through,” said Kim Fields, one of the original participants. “It gives you energy and makes you feel like you’re taking care of yourself, which is so important when you’re going through treatment.” Initially it was strictly for people with breast cancer, but with funding, the program became the Wolfe Foundation Center Wellness Program and was opened to anyone with cancer. “The basis is exercise,” Leach said. Everyone exercises as a group, she said, but all the members have their own “exercise prescriptions” based on functional assessments, so instructors can ensure they are using the correct machines for their individual needs — from treadmills and rowers to exercise bikes and ellipticals. But the classes also include educational programs, covering everything from stress management to nutrition. They even have a lymphedema specialist speak with the group. Lymphodema is a condition where excess amounts of lymphatic fluid accumulate in an extremity, usually an arm or leg, while its clearance through the lymph nodes is inadequate and causes swelling. It develops from the cancer treatment — surgery, chemotherapy or radiation — and is associated with the removal of lymph nodes or damage to them. “People are all coming to get better,” Leach said. “They become very good friends and form a very strong bond.” The classes meet twice a week, and to join you can call 614.566.3880.
PHOTO BY JOHN KNOUFF
Deborah Smith Lee works out on a treadmill with trainer Laura Leach as part of the Wolfe Foundation Cancer Wellness Program at Ohio Health McConnell Heart Health Center.
Raising awareness of metastatic breast cancer one tutu at a time
Ohio’s Health Insurance Choice Since 1934
(BPT) — Hearing a doctor utter the words “breast cancer” often leaves women with dozens of initial questions: How will I manage all of the demands of daily life while in treatment? How will it affect me physically? How do I tell my family? But a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer, the most advanced stage of the disease after it has spread to other parts of the body, can be particularly difficult. “There’s a real dark side to cancer. Like many women with this disease, I experience fear, sadness and physically feel the impact of my diagnosis,” said Linda Carey, who was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 and metastatic breast cancer in 2006. Shortly before Carey’s first diagnosis with breast cancer, her husband Bob started a personal photography project — The Tutu Project — to express his feelings about some significant life changes. When Carey was diagnosed, the project evolved into a way to help make her laugh and allowed her to shift her focus away from her cancer journey.
Through the Tutu Project, Bob photographs himself wearing only a pink tutu in a variety of poses and settings around the world — walking through fields, standing atop the Grand Canyon and even jumping across the Brooklyn Bridge — all in the hope of offering inspiration, laughter and perhaps a smile while in chemotherapy, while raising funds to cover incidental costs not covered by health insurance for those living with breast cancer. Bob noted, “This can be a very scary road to travel. But Linda’s cancer has taught us that life is good, dealing with it can be hard, and sometimes the very best thing — no, the only thing — we can do to face another day is to laugh at ourselves, and share a laugh with others.” About 175,000 American women live with this advanced form of breast cancer, and often face challenges distinct from those diagnosed with an earlier stage. For many like the Careys, the desire to share their stories and connect with other members of the metastatic breast cancer community is an essential part of the journey.
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survivor stories
Strength in numbers articles By carolyn Dix Remer Dispatch Media Group When McConnell Heart Health Center piloted its cancer wellness program, the instructors and doctors knew they were doing something good for breast cancer survivors. What they could not have known was just how far reaching this something good would be. Many of the women who met that first year of the exercise program six years ago became extraordinarily close and have stayed that way ever since, continuing
to meet for dinners, for hikes, for fun, for support and for strength. “I feel bad for women who don’t have that kind of group. The value is being able to talk about your symptoms,” said Pat Stewart, a breast cancer survivor. “We need to spend more time talking about living this way.” Pat Stewart, Kim Fields and Carol Hedrick Laroche, three members of this group and each breast cancer survivors, shared their stories.
From left to right Carol Hedrick Laroche, Ann Burson, Janet Becker, Debbie Bethel, Pat Stewart Powell, Yo Colatruglio and Kim Fields at the finish line of the Susan G. Komen Columbus Race for the Cure.
Get your annual mammogram: Pat’s story Six years ago, Pat Stewart went in for her annual mammogram. She had been putting it off after canceling her original appointment when her father-in-law passed away. But Pat, who worked in human resources, had an assistant who kept on her to reschedule her exam. “It would have been easy to just not do it,” Stewart said. Two months later, Stewart finally went in for her mammogram. The doctor discovered a large tumor in her breast that was positive for HER2, meaning there was an excess of the HER2 protein, making the cancer more aggressive and more likely to return. “I never felt (the tumor) myself, and it was a good size,” Stewart said. “I have thanked Pam (her assistant) many times since.” After she and her husband met with a breast surgeon, they decided to get a second opinion. They opted to go with the second physician, feeling more comfortable with him. “By the time I had my lumpectomy, I was confident in my decision,” Stewart said. “So many times we just think, get it out, get it out, but you want to be comfortable.”
Stewart also underwent chemotherapy and radiation, followed by a year of Herceptin, an intravenous treatment used specifically for HER2-positive breast cancer. “It’s really changed women’s lives,” Stewart said. “Before Herceptin, the likelihood of the cancer coming back was so high.” Today, there is no evidence of cancer in her body. Stewart said that when she first discovered she had breast cancer, she was in denial. “I had always been healthy, always worked out,” she said. In fact, the weekend before she received the news, she had gone on a 30-mile bike ride. But, she hoped for the best and has adhered to the philosophy that she’s going to do whatever her doctors tell her to do, so she never will feel like she could have done more to take care of herself. She stays active, rowing on the Columbus Breast Cancer Survivors rowing team, and she meets with her friends and support group. “It sounds trite, but you have to be positive,” Stewart said. “Reach out for support.”
Keep on fighting: Kim’s Story In 2007, Kim Fields was 39 years old, busy with a husband and two little girls. Then, one day, she noticed a lump in her breast. “I can remember that day,” Fields said. She went to the doctor for a biopsy. The diagnosis was a malignant tumor — ductal carcinoma, or cancer of the milk duct in the breast. “Being as young as I was, it was tough with two young kids. You want to be around a lot longer,” she said. Her doctor recommended a full right-breast mastectomy.The doctors also removed several lymph nodes. When they tested 18 of Fields’ lymph nodes on her right side, she said 13 tested positive for cancer cells. Having lymph nodes test positive means there is a higher risk of the cancer spreading. In 2008, she underwent eight rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, which she said she got through without too many problems. And when she had reconstructive surgery in 2010, she said she did great with that, too. Unfortunately, that was not the end of Fields’ fight. In 2011, when she went for a routine breast MRI,
the doctors found that her cancer had metastasized into her liver. Fields has been fighting cancer ever since, receiving chemotherapy treatments consistently. Cancer has also been detected in her bones. Despite her health challenges, Fields said she gets through each day with a positive attitude and the love and support of her husband, children — 9 and 14 years old — and her friends, like the ones from her support group as one of the first participants of the Wolfe Foundation Cancer Wellness Program. “They’re the greatest friends. They’re really there for me, always concerned and asking about me,” Fields said. “Most of my days are good days,” she added. “I’ve always had a positive outlook and I think that definitely helps. I don’t try to think ahead. I live in the moment, enjoying my husband and my kids. I just keep on living.” She recalled a recent visit to the doctor’s office. There was a woman there who was really down. Fields told her, “Don’t give up hope. It might be a fight for a while, but you have to keep fighting.’”
Every day is a gift: Carol’s story It was a big year for Carol Hedrick Laroche in 2007. She got married, became a stepmother to her new husband’s four adult children and bought a new home. She was tired, but she assumed it was from being so busy with plans and family and friends. Years earlier, at just 21, Laroche had been diagnosed with benign tumors, so she had started getting mammograms regularly at a young age. But in 2007 she had put off her mammogram, unable to take off work when she originally planned to have it done. But finally, a few weeks after she got married, she went to the doctor, where they discovered a mass in her breast.
“I was shocked,” Laroche said. She received the diagnosis that she had a mass right before having a Christmas party, and learned that it was malignant right before her stepchild’s birthday. Not wanting to ruin Christmas for her family, Laroche waited until shortly after New Year’s to have her surgery. “I never thought, ‘why me,’” Laroche said. “But I did think the timing was kind of bad,” she said, chuckling. During Laroche’s first surgery to remove the mass, she said her doctor had an inkling that there might be more cancer. So he went further than he planned, toward the breast bone, where he did find more cancer. After taking about three to four
weeks to heal from her first surgery, she underwent a second surgery, where doctors removed 11 tumors, only two of which were benign. The surgeries were followed by chemotherapy and radiation, including a year of Herceptin. Just like her friend, Pat Stewart, Laroche had been diagnosed as HER2positive — she had an excess of a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. And while Laroche said she got really sick from the chemotherapy — even having to go the hospital for a week — she credits her family with helping her through it. “I’ve always been close to my family and my nieces and nephews. That just gave me determination to
want to live,” she said. “I had a niece barely old enough to come into the chemo room, but she still wanted to be there.” Today, Laroche said she is doing well, although she admitted each checkup is always a little bit scary. And she is grateful for the support group. “Your friends and family are supportive, but they don’t know exactly what you’ve been through,” she said. She also credits some older women who she saw battle breast cancer with courage and a love of life when she was younger. They inspired her, she said. They taught her that every day is a gift.
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THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | wednesday, october 7, 2015
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Rethinking breast cancer treatment: One woman’s story give back to the
Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research with your purchase of our buttercream frosted heart shaped cut-out cookies! Westerville Headquarters 614.901.0046
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Valid through 10.31.15 in all retail stores and online at cheryls. com. For each heart shaped cut-out cookie sold 10% of the purchase price (excluding tax) will benefit the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research at Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. 2015 ©Cheryl & Co.
(BPT) — In the United States, one in five new breast cancer cases is stage 0 disease, but for Amy Thigpen, a mother of three who works in an oncology clinic, breast cancer is not a statistic; it is personal. After all, her mother is a breast cancer survivor, and later, she too faced off with a similar diagnosis. After Thigpen’s mother was diagnosed with early-stage invasive breast cancer, Thigpen was determined to be proactive about her breast health. She had a feeling something was not right and requested a mammogram from her doctors at the age of 34. The mammogram found a small tumor that was confined to the milk ducts; fortunately, it had not spread to the surrounding tissue. At that point, Amy faced her diagnosis — stage 0 breast cancer, known as ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS. An oncology nurse in the hematology oncology department at Physicians East in Greenville, N.C., Thigpen worked alongside a breast cancer specialist and had seen many patients battle the disease and struggle with Parties the many decisions Senior Centers Special Engagements that had to be made — including whether Reserve Now for the to pursue post-surgery Upcoming Holidays! treatment. Call: 614-256-5596 or email: kcarney2020@att.net After caring for so
KAREN CARNEY
Amy Thigpen
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many cancer patients over the years, Thigpen found herself speaking with her doctors about a difficult decision of her own, as it was not clear whether her cancer would come back and if she needed radiation therapy. She was familiar with genomic testing and a tool doctors sometimes used to guide treatment decisions. Her mother had received the Oncotype DX test for her invasive breast cancer and used the test results to help inform her decision of whether she needed chemotherapy. Inspired by her mother’s experience, Thigpen talked to her doctor about genomic testing, and since the Oncotype DX test was available and validated to provide the 10-year risk of an invasive or a DCIS local recurrence in DCIS patients, they decided to move forward. The Oncotype DX DCIS Score result has been shown to change treatment recommendations in 30 percent of patients, and doctors rank it as the most important factor in treatment planning for DCIS patients. When Thigpen received her Oncotype DX test results, her DCIS Score result was zero. “I was so excited, I carried the results to my doctor and knew we had our answer. I wouldn’t have radiation. The test probably saved me from having to go through six weeks of radiation that my body really did not need, as well as the side effects that it can cause.” “When a woman is diagnosed with DCIS, my goal as a physician is to accurately assess her individual risk for cancer returning so we can define and personalize an appropriate treatment plan with greater confidence,” said Dr. Michael Alvarado, breast cancer surgeon with the University of California, San Francisco Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. Reflecting on a UCSF-led study of the clinical utility of the Oncotype DX test for DCIS, Dr. Alvarado added that that test was “an objective biomarker that provides independent information beyond what has been available to physicians before, which can be seen as the biggest advancement in the management of DCIS in more than a decade.” To encourage other women to pursue personalized treatment, Thigpen decided to share her story on MyBreastCancerTreatment.org, a patient education resource providing information around breast cancer and the benefits of genomic testing. The tools, resources and eligibility quiz offered on this website enable patients and their loved ones to empower themselves with information about their specific cancer and work with their doctor to confidently select a treatment plan that can guide personalized treatment decisions based on their individual tumor. “You have to be your own advocate and push for what you truly feel in your heart is right, because when the day is over, you have to be 100 percent comfortable with your treatment plan.”
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THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | WEDNESDAY, october 7, 2015
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THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | wednesday, october 7, 2015
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