Cancer survivors share lessons
By age 51, Gwendolyn Anderson was very familiar with finding lumps and having cysts removed from her breasts.
She had her first cyst removed at age 11 and had had several biopsies since then because of her fibrocystic breast condition, in which breast tissue has a lumpy, bumpy texture. All had been benign.
But while doing a self-breast exam in spring 2003, she found one that she suspected might be cancerous. And later, when she asked to see the removed tissue —"a request borne of her scientific curiosity," she says — she realized it looked different than the others she'd had removed.
"The hardest part was waiting those three days for them to confirm what I already knew in my heart," Anderson said about her breast cancer diagnosis in April 2003.
It was heartbreaking to tell her daughter, she said. She found motivation and inspiration to deal with her treatment in her then-3-year-old grandson, Jalen, and in her faith.
Anderson, who works in the records department of the local American Red Cross office, said getting breast cancer gave her a new perspective on caring for herself.
Now her message as a breast cancer survivor is to take care of yourself first. Otherwise you won't be any good to your family. That's what she usually shares as she speaks at churches, health fairs and anywhere else as a member of Witnessing in the Heartland, a cancer education group that emphasizes breast cancer awareness among African-Americans.
Silence to support
Talking about cancer awareness has become Gwendolyn DuBose's passion. She's likely to stop strangers to visit with them about the importance of early detection.
But when she received her first breast cancer diagnosis in November 1997, she had fallen silent in the doctor's office. She looked out a window as she cried, focusing on a bird instead of the doctor telling her and her husband about treatment options.
"When I heard the word 'cancer,' I just knew I was dead," DuBose said. "I'd lost a sister to colon cancer. I just thought it was a death sentence."
She didn't want to talk to anyone about her disease. She didn't have resolve to fight it. Finally, her doctor put her in touch with a support group at the American Cancer Society.
Through a support group and the mentoring of another survivor, she found her voice to speak about cancer. She went on to found a support group for black women called Sisters Helping Sisters and now leads the Witnessing in the Heartland group. She's visited Washington, D.C., to lobby legislators to continue funding breast cancer research.
She emphasizes to anyone who will listen that it's important to know one's body and to be your own advocate. Ask questions about the tests your doctor orders, ask more questions about the results and treatment options, advises DuBose, who completed chemotherapy in July in her third bout against breast cancer.
"And don't let a doctor say 'We'll watch this,' " she said.
"A doctor relies on you to provide information about your body," she said. "All three times I have had cancer, I have shown them exactly where the pain was and where the cancer was. Learn about your body and do your breast self-exams."
She advocates for early detection and following guidelines about regular screenings. When she received her first diagnosis of breast cancer, she was 53 and had never had a mammogram.
She had put it off, she said, because she didn't want to face the possibility of being diagnosed with breast cancer if she had a mammogram.
Many doctors continue to suggest that women have their first mammogram at age 40. That's also the recommended age of the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure group.
In late 2009, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommended against routine mammograms for most women in their 40s and that women consider having the X-ray, which helps detect breast cancer, every other year rather than annually. For women between ages 50 and 74, it recommended exams every two years.
"There's no excuse for not having regular mammograms and pap smears," DuBose said.
Witnessing in the Heartland can provide information about low- or no-cost screenings, she said, and members often are willing to accompany individuals to doctor's visits for support.
"And if you don't have transportation, call me," DuBose said.
Group impact
Groups such as Witnessing in the Heartland — a group of more than 20 women, including survivors and health advocates — are making an impact on the health of black women, said Shaker Dakhil, an oncologist for the past 30 years.
"In the last few years, the rate has gone down," Dakhil said about the mortality rate trend he's seen. "They are seeking diagnosis earlier, and we see much less neglect of breast cancer."
Cancer education groups, fundraising initiatives such as the Komen Race for the Cure, and even celebrities — such as Robin Roberts, co-anchor of ABC's "Good Morning America" who share their stories — are all helping to raise awareness about early detection and treatment, Dakhil said.
FIND SUPPORT
* Local offices of the American Cancer Society and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure can provide information about local support and cancer education groups. You can contact the cancer education group for information on community group meetings, health fairs and other organizations.
* The support group Sisters Helping Sisters meets once a month at the American Cancer Society offices, 818 N. Emporia St. For information, call 316-265-3400.
* For more about Witnessing in the Heartland , which also provides training on how to become a cancer educator, contact chairwoman Gwendolyn DuBose at 316-684-1076 or 316-640-3204.
* The Mid-Kansas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure funds Witness Project of Kansas , an African-American community-based breast cancer education program. Call 888-312-8813 for more information.
If you go
2011 KOMEN WICHITA RACE FOR THE CURE
What: More than 10,000 people are expected to participate in the local benefit for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
When: Sept. 24. Registration begins at 6:45 a.m., followed later in the morning by activities, including a breakfast and celebration for survivors. The competitive timed 5K is at 8 a.m., and the non-competitive 5K is at 8:15 a.m.
Where: At Douglas and Armour near Towne East Square
How much: Advance registration before Sept. 24 is $30 for the competitive and $25 for noncompetitive races. Registrants receive a T-shirt.
To register or learn about the complete schedule and additional related special events — including Sleep-in for the Cure and Kids for the Cure — visit www.komenmidks.org or call 316-440-7033.
More coverage
Today's story is the second in a series dealing with breast cancer. Read last week's story "Mammography: More is not necessarily better" at Kansas.com/health. And see next Tuesday's Healthy Living for more.
This story was originally published September 13, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Cancer survivors share lessons."