Think Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Edition

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2—Lewistown, PA

The Sentinel

W

hen faced with a cancer diagnosis, patients deserve peace of mind knowing they are in the hands of a skilled and caring professional who's dedicated to treating all forms of cancer. As an independent, community-based oncology/ hematology practice in the area, Dr. Ricardo Carter provides a personalized treatment plan designed to fight the disease.

Dr. Carter and his staff are dedicated to caring for his community. His practice is conveniently located in Lewistown and also coordinates care with healthcare systems including Pinnacle Health System, Geisinger Medical Center, JC Blair Health System, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, and Mount Nittany Medical Center. This location allows patients to stay close to home and quickly schedule treatments following their diagnosis.

Exceptional Care.

Right Here. Right Now.

Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019

Our all-inclusive, on-location services include: • 24/7 inpatient and outpatient physician assistance • Oncology-certified nurses • Convenient and flexible scheduling of new patient appointments • Latest immunotherapy and chemotherapy regimens • Treatment of iron deficiency with infusions/ injections of iron • Target cell testing and treatment for cancer • Additional support services including nutritional plans • Coordinated laboratory services • Clinical trials are available • Areas insurances accepted and financial assistance available through foundations • Affordable treatment center vs. larger, costlier healthcare systems

Trusted Cancer Care, Close to Home Dr. Carter is part of the fabric of the Lewistown community, caring for cancer patients for over a quarter century. His personable, knowledgeable approach allows patients to receive quality care right in their own backyard. The warm and welcoming environment coupled with leading oncology and hematology care gives patients and loved ones a sense of security and the confidence to ask questions to our highlyapproachable doctors, nurses, and staff.

To schedule an evaluation or second opinion, call 717-242-3760.

Ricardo Carter M.D.

Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019

Lewistown, PA—3

The Sentinel

Potential treatment options after a breast cancer diagnosis

A breast cancer diagnosis is something no one wants to receive. But the burden of breast cancer is substantial. In fact, the World Health Organization notes that breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in women worldwide.

Thankfully, breast cancer survival rates are high in many parts of the world, particularly in developed countries such as the United States, Canada and Japan.

While survival rates are lower in developing countries, it is encouraging to know that the average five-year survival rates are as high as 90 percent in some nations.

That suggests that the strategies used to successfully fight breast cancer in developed nations may one day prove as effective in developing nations, potentially leading to a sharp decline in global breast cancer deaths.

Upon being diagnosed with breast cancer, patients will be ed-

ucated about a host of potential treatment options. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that breast cancer is treated in several ways, and the course of treatment a doctor recommends will depend on the kind of breast cancer and how far it has spread.

In addition, according to Breastcancer.org, breast cancer is made up of many different kinds of cancer cells, which often necessitates the use of various types of treatments to get rid of the cancer.

The following are some treatment options doctors may discuss with breast cancer patients.

• Surgery: Breastcancer.org notes that surgery is typically the first line of attack against breast cancer. The CDC says the goal of surgery is to cut out cancer tissue.

Some common breast cancer surgeries include lumpectomy, in which the tumor and a small amount of surrounding tissue is removed, and mastectomy, in

which all of the breast tissue is removed.

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is used to treat various types of cancer and involves the administration of special medicines to shrink or kill existing cancer cells. Breastcancer.org notes that

chemotherapy is sometimes administered prior to surgery in an attempt to shrink the cancer.

• Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy aims to kill cancer cells using high-energy rays that are similar to X-rays. Sometimes referred to as “radiotherapy,” radi-

ation therapy is overseen by a radiation oncologist who specializes in this type of treatment.

• Hormonal therapy: Estrogen makes hormone-receptorpositive breast cancers grow, and hormonal therapy, which may be referred to as “anti-estrogen” therapy, aims to reduce the amount of estrogen in the body and block its action on breast cancer cells.

• Targeted therapies: These therapies, which Breastcancer.org notes are generally less likely than chemotherapy to harm normal, healthy cells, target specific characteristics of the cancer cells.

Cancer cells can have many characteristics, so there are various types of targeted therapies.

Breast cancer treatments can be highly effective in the fight against breast cancer, particularly when the disease is caught in its early stages.

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4—Lewistown, PA

By Matteah Fiske Lewistown Sentinel Maybe you've heard her name, followed her Facebook posts, or you've seen the popular black and pink “Team Lyndsee” Harshbarger's Sub N' Malt t-shirts around town. In any case, this well-known young woman's story has made a huge impact on the community.

On November 7th, 2018, 31 year old Lewistown native Lyndsee Krepps received the news that would change her life forever. As a young mother, the last thing she ever expected to hear was that she had been diagnosed with stage three, Ductal Carcinoma – cancer

Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019

The Sentinel

in the milk ducts of her breasts.

“When the doctor told me I had cancer, I lost it” Lyndsee recalled in an interview, “I didn't hear him tell me what kind or what stage; all I could think about was that I was going to die and never see my kids again.”

When she had gone to bed the night before, Lyndsee had no idea that the next day her life was going to change forever. The mammogram she had taken previously came back negative for breast cancer, and in her mind the appointment she had the next morning would just be another confirmation of that.

“My doctor told me

'Lyndsee, you are okay to let yourself be down for a few days- to maybe a few weeks, but you will get yourself back up and be YOU again. You are going to overcome this and come out on top.'”

A conversation with her sister is what caused Lyndsee to perform a personal breast exam- leading to the discovery of the lump in her breast. She had never done a breast exam before, and kicks herself for it now.

Some advice she would offer to younger women would be to not “feel that just because you're below the mammogram age that it can't happen to you.”

After the diagnosis, one of the greatest challenges Lyndsee faced was telling her children the news. She gave them the honest truth from the beginning. However, it wasn't until her hair appointment before the beginning of her chemo treatments that she realized the reality she was facing.

“When I looked at myself in the mirror and I had no hair, that was the first time it was real- I was a cancer patient.”

“The unknown is hard and scary,” Lyndsee

remarked, “it was stressful, at first, but the further I've gotten along in my treatments I've discovered a self confidence and inner strength I didn't know I had- a strength that I especially needed as a mother.”

She pointed out a sign hanging on the wall in her home that read, “You never know how strong you are until strong is all you have.” A powerful truth, and priceless reminder for her life.

Lyndsee was overcome by the phenomenal support from the community, as well. She expressed how thankful she is for the cards, fundraisers, anonymous donations, and rides to her treatments. She was blown away, too, by the generosity of complete strangers. It was this support that got her through some of the hardest parts of her journey.

Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019

On May 2nd she had her last chemo treatment- followed then by a double mastectomy on May 17th.

“Yes, I was scared,” Lyndsee remarked, “but I also knew when I woke up I was going to be cancer free.”

The journey isn't over yet, with upcoming radiation treatments five days a week for five weeks, but already Lyndsee has come a long way.

Lewistown, PA—5

The Sentinel

When asked if there is anything she'd like to say to those in our community who are impacted by breast cancer, Lyndsee's response was this: “Cancer has made me become the person I didn't know I could be. You live one day at a time because you don't know what tomorrow is going to bring. Now I wake up in the morning thinking 'Bring it on.'

You do what you need to, to keep moving forward. Re-

member to stay positive- it is what it is and all you can do is keep moving forward.”

Lyndsee hopes that her story can help others who are impacted by this disease as well- and because she has been through it, doesn't want anyone to be afraid to ask her questions.

“I didn't go through this alone, I don't want you to either.”

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6—Lewistown, PA

Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019

The Sentinel

Community for a Cure We Stand Together in the Fight Against Breast Cancer!

Medical experts agree that early detection is a woman’s best defense in overcoming breast cancer. In fact, the National Breast Cancer Foundation reports that when breast cancer is detected in the early, localized stage, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent. The organization encourages every woman to develop an early detection plan consisting of breast self-exams, clinical breast exams and mammograms based on age and health history. To learn how to perform a monthly breast self-exam, go to www.nationalbreastcancer.org or ask your healthcare professional. A family physician or gynecologist should perform a clinical breast exam as part of an annual visit, and can advise women on the frequency of mammography scheduling.

We salute our local business community’s commitment to a cure!

We Support

Juniata Valley YMCA

Vince's Pizza & Family Restaurant

105 1st Ave, Burnham (717) 248-5019 jvymca.org

311 S Logan Blvd, Burnham, (717) 248-1119 19619 Route 522, Beaver Springs, (570) 658-6100 vincespizzaandfamilyrestaurant.com

Deihl’s Flowers Inc

Lewistown Health & Fitness

1 Parkview Terrace, Burnham (717) 248-7843 deihlsflowersinc.com

109 S. Plaza Drive, Lewistown (717) 248-6995 lewistownfitness.com

Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019

Lewistown, PA—7

The Sentinel

Breast cancer signs and symptoms

Breast cancer is a formidable foe. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 627,000 women lost their lives to breast cancer in 2018. But women are not helpless in the fight against breast cancer, as the WHO notes early detection is critical and could potentially save thousands of lives each year.

A proactive approach is a key component of protecting oneself against breast cancer. While the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.® notes that many breast cancer symptoms are invisible and not noticeable without a professional cancer screening, women can keep an eye out for certain signs of breast cancer they might be able to detect on their own. Monthly self-exams can help women more easily identify changes in their breasts. During such self-exams, women can look for the following signs and symptoms and are advised to report

any abnormalities they discover to their physicians immediately.

• Changes in how the breast or nipple feels: The NBCF says nipple tenderness or a lump or thickening in or near the breast or underarm could indicate the presence of breast cancer. Some women may notice changes in the skin texture or an enlargement of the pores in the skin of their breast. In many instances, skin texture has been described as being similar to the texture of an orange peel. Lumps in the breast also may indicate breast cancer, though not all lumps are cancerous.

• Change in appearance of the breast or nipple: Unexplained changes in the size or shape of the breast; dimpling anywhere on the breast; unexplained swelling or shrinking of the breast, particularly when the shrinking or swelling is exclusive to one side only; and a nipple that is turned

slightly inward or inverted are some signs and symptoms of breast cancer that can affect the appearance of the breast or nipple. It is common for women’s breasts to be asymmetrical, but sudden asymmetry should be brought to the attention of a physician.

• Discharge from the nipple: The NBCF notes that any discharge from the nipple, but particularly a clear or bloody discharge, could be a sign of breast cancer. The NBCF also advises women that a milky discharge when they are not breastfeeding is not linked to breast cancer but should be discussed with a physician.

Learning to recognize the signs and symptoms of breast cancer can increase the likelihood of early diagnosis, which greatly improves women’s chances of surviving this disease.

The Logan House

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The Sentinel

Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019

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Logan Street, Lewistown | 717.248.7823 Dan Kochenderfer, Supervisor