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Today's Takeaway with Florine Mark


Sep 26, 2022

With Jaye Sciullo, Michigan Executive Director of Susan G. Komen & Dr. Shoshana Hallowell, Surgical Oncologist at Ascension Health

 

What goes through your mind when you hear the word “cancer?” Fear of the

unknown? How will this affect my loved ones? Will I survive? Second only to heart disease, cancer is a leading cause of death for adults in the United

States. Although the word “cancer” in itself is scary, not all cancers are alike. In fact, there are types of cancer that are easier to treat and often result in

full remission.

 

With more than 290,000 new diagnoses predicted for 2022 alone, breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women. Approximately 13% of women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives. This means there is a 1-in-8 chance a woman living in the U.S. will develop breast cancer. But this also means there is a 7-in-8 chance she’ll never have the disease.

 

Thankfully, advances in genetic testing, immunotherapy, and other promising new trials are transforming the way we treat breast cancer. Today, we’re going to talk with Jaye Sciullo and Dr. Shoshana Hallowell, a surgical oncologist with Ascension Health. Jaye is the Executive Director for the Michigan chapter of Susan G. Komen, the world’s leading breast cancer organization. They’re with us today to answer our questions and tell us about the latest advances in breast cancer treatment.

 

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

  • When did Jaye first become involved with Susan G. Komen?
  • How difficult is it for Jaye to put herself in the shoes of the women she represents?
  • What are the different types of breast cancer?
  • Why is breast cancer often harder to treat than other cancers?
  • Besides not smoking, what are other things can we do to lessen our risk of cancer?
  • How important are mammograms?
  • What exactly are the BRCA genes and what does it mean?
  • How does Susan G. Komen help patients and families?
  • What do you recommend for friends and family members who want to help support co-survivors and patients?
  • Some promising information about new trials and treatments.
  • What role do diet and exercise play in developing and progressing cancer?
  • What is a smart bomb?
  • All about the 2022 Komen Detroit Race for the Cure.

 

Today’s Takeaway:

A cancer diagnosis is life-changing, and we’re often filled with fear and uncertainty as to what may lie ahead. But the mission of the Susan G. Komen organization is dedicated to making sure that no breast cancer patient has to go it alone. Since Susan G. Komen was founded in 1986, we have seen a 40% reduction in breast cancer mortality. The Komen organization is committed to being alongside the patient throughout the entirety of their cancer journey. In addition to providing financial support when needed, there are virtual nurse navigators who will assist patients in preparing for doctor appointments and provide a list of necessary questions to ask. Afterward, they can also help explain the mass of information that patients receive. Based on the statistics shared today, we all probably know someone battling breast cancer. We are hopeful that soon we can find a cure so that future generations can look forward to a life without this deadly disease. Remember that every single day is a gift and even when life throws us a curveball, we have the gift of freedom of choice. We get to choose our response and how we handle adversity is up to each and every one of us. We can choose to fight our battle with grace, dignity, and courage, knowing that we will find the support we need every step of the way. I’m Florine Mark and that’s “Today’s Takeaway.”

 

Quotes:

  • “I think that it’s difficult these days to not be touched by breast cancer in some way.” — Jaye
  • “Breast cancer is harder to treat because it’s very complex.” — Dr. Hallowell
  • “There are many things that you can do to lessen your risk of developing cancer. I think the most important is to be aware of your own health.” — Dr. Hallowell
  • “70% of breast cancers diagnosed in women under the age of 50 have been found by the women themselves.” — Dr. Hallowell
  • “Screening is important. The modality in which you’re screened is also important.” — Dr. Hallowell
  • “Susan G. Komen is committed to a world without breast cancer.” — Jaye
  • “Our mission is to save lives by meeting the most critical needs of our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.” — Jaye
  • “When you’re newly diagnosed, you don’t know what you don’t know. And it’s often a very winding path of self-discovery and learning how to advocate for yourself.” — Jaye
  • “No two paths are alike.” — Jaye
  • “Women with dense breast tissue need additional screening and women that are high risk need additional screening.” — Dr. Hallowell

 

Brought to You By:

Gardner White Furniture

 

Mentioned in This Episode: 

Susan G. Komen of Michigan

2022 Komen Detroit Race for the Cure

Dr. Shoshana Hallowell — Ascension