‘It could save your life”

Amy Jacobs, 48, of Lumberton, knows firsthand the importance of having mammograms yearly because having one may have saved her life. Jacobs is an advocate to women in her life and wants to share her story to encourage others to have a mammogram on time and often.

Obstetrician and Gynecologist Dr. Stacey Lindo, of Southeastern Health Women’s Clinic, said that the American Cancer Society and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend women age 40 and over should have annual mammography screenings. She added that women with a first-degree relative, a parent or sibling, with breast cancer should have annual mammograms starting 10 years earlier than the earliest diagnosis in the family, but not earlier than age 25.

Jacobs has a family history of breast cancer, and she takes that classification seriously. She began getting mammograms in her 30s through her work wellness plan and, although Jacobs says they are uncomfortable, she religiously had a mammogram each year as directed.

“I believe that women should have mammograms on a regular basis in order to stay healthy,” said Jacobs. “You don’t want to find anything but it will give you piece of mind knowing there isn’t anything there. However, if it is abnormal then something can be done before it gets out of hand.”

In February, Jacobs went to Southeastern Radiological Associates for her yearly mammogram as normal. Following her appointment, Jacobs received a letter in the mail saying she needed to come for a follow-up test. Radiologist Dr. Jim Parker, of Southeastern Radiological Associates, performed a biopsy on her right breast in March and the results were not what Jacobs expected.

“I was totally shocked that day when I got my results. The word they gave me was five miles long with the word carcinoma in it and when you hear carcinoma you think cancer,” said Jacobs.

She was quickly set up with a Southeastern Health surgeon and had a lumpectomy in April. Following her surgery, she came to Gibson Cancer Center to discuss treatment options. Jacobs’ breast cancer was classified as Stage 0, which meant it was still in the duct but they had gotten everything during surgery.

“I was devastated when I heard that I had cancer. I was shocked because like everyone says, ‘not me,’ but then really why not me,” said Jacobs. “You really don’t realize how many people have these issues until you go through it yourself.”

Jacobs began her scheduled 33 sessions of radiation at Gibson Cancer Center in May 2015. Her treatment plan had to be reworked when Gibson Cancer Center caught on fire near the end of June. Jacobs finished her last five radiation sessions at Cape Fear.

According to Jacobs, she contributes her success to early detection. She feels if she would have waited much longer, it would have been outside the duct and the end result could have been different. Jacobs says some of her family members are reluctant when it comes time for their mammograms, but Jacobs stresses the potential consequences if they don’t have one.

“It is not the most comfortable thing in the world to have a mammogram but it could save your life,” said Jacobs. “I can go through a little discomfort and pain for five to 10 minutes to not be dead in a year. I feel so blessed. I tell people all the time — God is good and He’s got me.”

Jacobs will have a follow-up mammogram for her right breast this month, which is breast cancer awareness month, and then will continue to have her mammograms once a year going forward.

“It is important for women to have annual mammograms because early detection of breast cancer can mean earlier treatment for patients and increased survival rates,” said Lindo. “Studies have shown that regular screening mammography of women with no symptoms or palpable mass on exam has decreased the number of deaths due to breast cancer.”

According to the American Cancer Society, 2.6 million women in the United States are living with breast cancer and 180,000 women survive the fight against breast cancer every year. Women age 40 and over, who have no family history of cancer or symptoms and that are one year and one day from prior screening exams may refer themselves for this important cancer screening exam. While the screening mammogram is covered by most insurers, resources are available for women who do not have a payment source.

Southeastern Radiology Associates, which is the only Breast Center of Excellence in the region, is an outpatient imaging center that provides screening and diagnostic imaging services to the area. For information about mammograms or to schedule a mammography screening, call 910-671-4000.