Having a mammogram saved my life.  I had a routine mammogram at age 42 – July of 2008.  After finding some tiny white dots back against my chest wall, the radiologist ordered another mammogram to get a closer look. Because of the skill of the technician, we were able to find more of the same white dots.  After having a biopsy, I was diagnosed with DCIS – Ductal Carcinoma In Situ – which is a non-invasive breast cancer.  As the doctors sliced the tissue open, they also found an invasive tumor.  The borders weren’t clean, so they did another biopsy – and found another invasive tumor.   My decision for treatment included a bi-lateral mastectomy, reconstructive surgery, and 5 months of chemo.  I remember a conversation I had with my doctor, where he told me that if it wasn’t for the mammogram, we would not have found the tumors for at least another 5 years.  

I’m HER2 positive, so, although the tumors were small, they were very fast growing.  In 5 years, when the tumors would have grown enough to find by touch, I would have been in the last stages of breast cancer, and would most likely not have survived.  What a sobering thought.  The discovery and subsequent treatment of my breast cancer was a direct result of having a routine mammogram.  How grateful I am for the skills and concern of the technicians, radiologist, surgeons, and oncologist who saved me.  All through my treatment, I thought about how lucky I was to have good insurance – the kind that pays for a mammogram once a year. I seriously doubt that I would have taken the time to get a mammogram if my insurance refused to pay for it.  Because of the care I received throughout my cancer journey, I’ve chosen to become involved in helping other women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, and I admire what Jennifer and Zach Tittensor are doing to make mammograms available to women who can’t afford such care.

My name is Linda Shattuck, age 50, I was diagnosed with breast cancer on June 18th, 2010. I live in the area served by American Fork Hospital. My sister is a 4 year breast cancer survivor. In her honor, every year, I got my yearly mammogram. Yes, the decision was made easier by my having had great insurance. About four or five years ago, I had a lumpectomy due to some calcifications and the results of that lumpectomy were negative for cancer. Years later, during a routine mammogram at American Fork Hospital, they "found something suspicious" and I did not hesitate, at the request of the technician and radiologist, to have further testing. Honestly, I feel I owe it to the technician (there are two main ones, both female who are AMAZING women - one who actually had breast cancer, and mine who is very intuitive also), my very life.

Their expertise, gentleness and intuitive natures and thoroughness, ensured a quick and sharp eye to bring this to the attention of a Radiologist, Dr. Val Dunn, I believe who recommended a ultrasound. That in turn, led to a biopsy, which brought about the diagnosis of cancer. Yes, it happened quick. Yes, my head spinned. But in addition to these feelings of concern were coupled the feelings of complete confidence that I was in good hands! I had heard of the reputations of the two possible surgeons I had already picked out in my mind, Dr. Jennifer Tittensor and Dr. Jon Bishop because they had worked on two of my neighbors who are my "breast friends forever! (BFF's)". While tempted to feel "out of control" of my own body, the dedicated team from the very first technician, to Sherry, who is the Breast Care Coordinator at American Fork Hospital, I was handled with dignity, respect and great nurturing. I asked specifically for Sherry to be the one to deliver the news. Her compassion and care for each patient is unparalleled.

All along the way, my "case" was handed off with great detail and swiftness to assure me of the greatest outcome. Surgery came quick, and owing to great advances in technology, I was equipped with a pain pump and given great instructions on how to take care of the extra equipment (drains) during my recovery. I am an epileptic and diabetic. My team, Dr. Jennifer Tittensor and Dr. Jon Bishop were all aware of the complications that might add, and were very careful in managing every aspect of my recovery. All along the way, I was thoroughly informed about my IDC and DCIS discoveries (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma and Ductal Carcinoma in Situ and where to proceed and how. I am confident in my diagnosis and surgery and treatment. We have now included Dr. Cordell Bott, oncologist who is treating me with Chemotherapy at American Fork Hospital's appendage...Huntsman Cancer Institute. I was thrilled with the outcome and the managing of meds and his capable nurse, Cathy Jorgensesn, who is literally a life-line! The beauty of the stained glass stars above my head during chemo treatments produce a dream like state and helps me put things in perspective as I gather my energies to fight the cancer that was in me. I have great confidence in the entire team I have selected and can honestly say that yearly mammograms SAVED MY LIFE.

I got an early diagnosis, and I am confident in a COMPLETE recovery! What would I say to other women? Ladies, I did self exams and it wasn't enough. No one, including the radiologist or doctors could "feel it". ONLY a complete yearly mammogram saved me. Don't hesitate. Do it for yourself. Do it for me. Do it for your Mom, your daughter, your sister ....just do it. I am going to be LIVING proof that yearly mammograms save lives. Please help with Mountains for Mammograms and support the American Fork Hospital region in getting mammograms for women and continuing their research and support of women like me. I have tried and tried to think of a slogan I'd like to add to what is already "out there" in terms of breast cancer awareness, and I would say "You're in good hands, YOUR OWN". Do yourself exam and drive yourself to get your mammograms yearly! Thank you A-Team! - With all my heart, Linda Shattuck

I’m too young for a mammogram...

I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 34 years old. I found a lump in my breast, but didn’t really think much except I am too young for a mammogram, let alone cancer. Soon the lump began to grow and I went to my doctor. He suggested I get further testing done. The next day I had an ultra sound performed. A mass was detected, but it was not clear what the lump in my breast was. It was a mammogram that diagnosed me with stage 4 breast cancer. If I had waited longer to get checked out and to have a mammogram, it could have been too late for me and my outcome could have been very different. After I was diagnosed, my cancer was treated with six months of chemotherapy, a mastectomy and radiation. I am now cancer free and back to my normal activities. I will continue to do my monthly self-breast exams and yearly mammograms. It doesn’t matter how old you are, a mammogram may save your life or someone you know.

I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in 2001. I had a lumpectomy and went through chemo, radiation, and high dose chemo with stem cell rescue. After the treatments were completed all traces of cancer were gone, I was in remission. Even though I was in remission I continued to have mammograms every other month until October of 2006. At that time I started having a mammogram every 3 months. They always came back normal, so I was thinking maybe I had beaten the cancer.

In March of 2008 I received the test results of my latest mammogram; it was abnormal. 6 days prior to the mammogram I had a routine visit with my oncologist. She did not feel anything unusual during a breast exam. I had also been doing regular breast exams and did not feel anything. An MRI and biopsy confirmed that the cancer had returned to the same breast as before. The decision was made to have a mastectomy and then follow up with chemo. The pathology report from the mastectomy was shocking. The tumor was 8.5 cm at the largest point! They also found the cancer had spread to one of my lymph nodes, so they were also removed. I firmly believe that if not for the mammogram detecting the cancer that it would have been too late for me. By the time I would have felt something during a breast exam, the cancer would have spread throughout my body and been untreatable.

Back in December of 2008, I was called in to have a second mammogram because something didn't look quite right in my first one. I was told not to be too nervous because they follow up carefully on anything that looks suspicious. When I went in they said they wanted to do an ultra sound. While in the ultra sound room, they decided to do a biopsy on my breast. This biopsy revealed a very small cancerous tumor. While I was shocked beyond belief, I was grateful the tumor was discovered while it was just under a centimeter in size. Although it was very small, it was detached and was growing. Once it was discovered, they had me in Jennifer Tittensor's office the next day and I was in surgery on January 2, 2009. I followed up with radiation and finished that treatment on April Fools Day 2009....and that's no foolin'! Because of my mammogram and early detection, I was spared the rigors of chemo therapy.

When I joined Sister Survivors and heard the stories of these brave women and all that they have endured, I truly felt that I should be the poster child for mammograms because having this simple test done on a regular basis saved me so much pain and suffering. Dr. Nathan Rich, my oncologist, told me that I am 95 to 98% sure to not have my Cancer reoccur. Since then, I remind women wherever I go to get their mammograms NO MATTER WHAT!!!!
It is very common for me to have women at the gym say, "Kathy, I had my mammogram yesterday!" Don't wait, this simple test can save your life as it did mine.