Oct 15, 2021 Reporting from Niles, MI
Nothing to worry about - Colleen *
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Oct 15, 2021
Oct 15, 2021
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
Although the existence of breast cancer is a fact of life, worrying about it doesn’t have to be. That’s something forty-four year old Colleen* has learned firsthand. She received results from a mammogram that indicated she was at high risk of develop
Nothing to worry about - Colleen *
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/ResourcePackages/SpectrumHealth/assets/img/sh_white_logo.png
Nothing to worry about - Colleen *
Oct, 2021
Physicians: Kathryn Vera, NP
Although the existence of breast cancer is a fact of life, worrying about it doesn’t have to be. That’s something forty-four year old Colleen* has learned firsthand. She received results from a mammogram that indicated she was at high risk of developing breast cancer, despite not having a close family history of the disease.
“I was having a difficult time coordinating follow-up care after the results,” said Colleen. “I learned I had extremely dense breast tissue, and it needed to be monitored.”
During this time, she also received a letter in the mail from the Spectrum Health Lakeland high risk breast cancer program. When Colleen called the program, she found team members who could help with everything she was struggling with.
“They had answers to all my questions,” she said. “They could order tests and support my care, all approved by my insurance. It came at the perfect time.”
Keep calm and call Kathryn
At her first session, Colleen met with Kathryn Vera, NP.
“Kathryn was extremely easy to talk to,” said Colleen. “She was very thorough and provided a lot of education about health and lifestyle choices to reduce the chance of breast cancer.”
As a patient of the program, Colleen meets with Kathryn twice a year. In addition to a custom plan of care and monitoring, Collen knows she can reach out anytime. When she noticed a painful lump in her armpit, she didn’t panic. She called Kathryn.
“Kathryn scheduled an appointment with me the same day. She felt the lump, assured me that it didn’t feel concerning, and ordered an ultrasound to doublecheck. I had total peace of mind by the end of that day. I didn’t have to wait,” said Colleen.
I didn’t have anyone I could call before,” she added. “I feel like I’m in great hands now. I have nothing to worry about.”
A unique resource for the community
Colleen shared that she has friends and relatives in northern Indiana, on the East Coast, and elsewhere, who are impressed by the program. They don’t have anything like it where they live or anyone similar that they could call when they receive concerning results. Colleen believes if the program existed everywhere, women would worry much less about breast cancer.
“This is an awesome and unique resource in our community,” she said. “I’m so grateful for the people who put it into place. They’re giving phenomenal preventative care, and if a diagnosis can’t be prevented, they’re right there to make sure nothing is missed along the way. I just feel lucky to be part of it.”
About 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. The high risk breast cancer program serves individuals at high risk of developing breast cancer and monitors them to reduce risk or diagnose cancer in an early stage. Physicians may refer patients to the program, or individuals may contact the program directly at SHLhighriskcancerclinic@spectrumhealth.org or 269.932.9337. To learn more, visit our webpage
*name has been changed