BECKLEY, WV (WOAY) – Beckley ARH’s inaugural Breast Friends Lunch and Learn celebrated and supported breast cancer survivors.
There was a Q&A session with an ARH cardiologist, oncologist, pulmonologist, general surgeon, radiologist and more. Breast cancer survivor Reva Bowman was first diagnosed in 1997.
“As I did a background check, we couldn’t find anyone in the family that had cancer,” Bowman said, adding that when she heard the word cancer, she thought she was going to die. “You think of family, your children and everybody. But 27 years have passed and I am a survivor.”
The Breast Friends Lunch and Learn event also recognized the healthcare workers, families and caretakers.
“Everybody involved with cancer survivorship,” said Beckley ARH Regional Chief Nursing Officer Angela Rivera. “It really does take a community to get our patients where they need to be, on the other end of the cancer diagnosis.”
The lifetime risk of a woman developing breast cancer in the United States is one in eight. With the advances in modern medicine, more women are undergoing screening and surviving. Hematology Oncology Specialist Dr. Odeth Barrett-Campbell encourages women to not only get screened in October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month) but regularly.
“If abnormalities on imaging are questionable, there are additional modalities we can do, be it ultrasound or MRI if needed. You can start that conversation about the need for breast cancer screening with your provider from the age of 40,” Barrett-Cambell said. “Mammogram can be done every year/two years. It depends on clinical findings and any kind of suspicion, any family history as well.”
Bowman was at the event to support other women. She says don’t ever give up — we can survive.
“Oh yeah, we had many pity parties,” she said of cancer diagnoses. “We need to pray and then we need to wait. Then, we need to trust. And we’re not in this alone, people. We’re in it together.”
Early detection increases the likelihood of survival.
“More than 60% of patients with breast cancer found in the early stage allow for the use of definitive surgery, radiation and chemotherapy,” Barrett-Cambell said. “If indicated, followed by endocrine therapy — if it’s hormone receptor-positive.”
Someone at the event was near and dear to Rivera’s heart.
“To see her on the other side (of breast cancer) it’s such a special thing,” said the Regional Chief Nursing Officer. “I’m very honored to be here with all these survivors and celebrate with them.”
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