Saturday, October 8, 2016 • Page 1B
Breast cancer support groups can provide significant help By Kim Hogstrom For The Leader
Photo by Kim Hogstrom Celebrated Heights artist and breast cancer survivor Thedra Cullar-Ledford (left) and her dear friend and sister survivor, Victoria Daniels.
is for Spanish-speaking breast cancer survivors as support members,” explained Gibbons. “The medical language involved is hard enough to navigate when one speaks English. Imagine trying to get through the journey when English is a your sec-
ond language. We welcome anyone who can help.” Houston Heights Woman’s Club member Lisa Cari was fortunate to have a large circle of friends that included survivors when she was diagnosed.
See Rose P. 2B
Two sisters, two bouts with cancer By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com It’s the phone call no woman wants to get from their doctor the day after their mammogram, but for Renie Kristynik, co-owner of Buffaloe Floor Covering on Pinemont Dr., there was a sense of ‘here we go again.’ Six years earlier, their mother, who had survived an earlier bout with breast cancer, died of sarcoma. That same year, Kristynik’s sister Denie Lunsmann was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. While Lunsmann is now in remission, it was Kristynik’s turn to fight. She even used the same oncologist, Dr. Veena Chandrakar in Cypress, as had her family members. “We went back in to repeat the test to see if it was a false read and then did the biopsy,” said Kristynik, who was 63 years old at the time of diagnosis. “It was invasive ductal carcinoma.” According to breastcancer.org, invasive ductal carcinoma, sometimes called infiltrating ductal carcinoma, is the most common type of breast cancer. About 80% of all breast cancers are invasive ductal carcinomas.
For Kristynik, initial treatment was a lumpectomy and then chemo and radiation once tests showed that the cancer had a high rate of recurrence. Kristynik said that her sister was a “wealth of knowledge” and her husband was “over the top supportive” which made what she would face a lot easier. Her chemotherapy was four sessions over 12 weeks, once every three weeks. Each session was a five or six hour process where Kristynik was given two kinds of chemo, anti-nausea meds and hydration. Her husband and her childhood best friend accompanied her and Kristynik said that they had a lot of good conversations, and got some coloring done. While initially easy, the sessions got increasingly taxing. Her hair feel out and came back curly, “like a poodle’s”, but Kristynik said her hairdresser has told her that sometimes it goes back to the natural texture. And in the big scheme of things, it’s a minor issue. Radiation followed for seven weeks. Kristynik would go every day for five days Monday through Friday for 20 minSee Sisters P. 2B
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Photo supplied Sisters and owners of Buffaloe Floor covering, Renie Kristynik and Denie Lunsmann shared their battle with cancer.
ter an abnormal diagnostic mammogram, the Center offers same-day ultrasound and, if needed, a breast biopsy. “We want to eliminate the worry for our patients and make sure they leave here confident and comfortable with their plan of care,” says Jennifer Johnston, manager of outpatient imaging at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights. “If there is an area of concern after reading the mammogram, our breast specialist will immediately speak with the patient and offer to conduct an additional mammography or ultrasound. Based on those test results, if the breast biopsy is needed, we can usually perform that while the patient is here.” For patients unable to stay for additional testing, a return appointment is made before they leave. In addition to the 3-D mammography and ultrasound, the Center also performs ultrasound-guided breast biopsies, stereotactic needle biopsies, fine-needle aspirations and breast MRIs. Catering to Women “We know women are busy, so we want to accommodate their needs,” says Johnston.
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That’s why the Center offers extended hours until 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Screening mammograms are also available on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Other amenities include heated robes and a coffee bar. Top-Level Accreditation The Breast Care Center at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights holds the coveted certification from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). This voluntary and rigorous program, administered by the American College of Surgeons, demonstrates compliance with key components that contribute to high-quality care. Breast tomosynthesis is available to patients who are due for their yearly screening mammogram. Since the technology is not yet covered by insurance, Memorial Hermann will bill the patient’s insurance for a 2-D digital mammogram and charge a nominal fee of $50 for the advanced service upon patient request. To experience the Center’s stateof-the-art services, schedule your mammogram today by calling 713867-3336.
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the earliest stages of breast cancer, but tomosynthesis reduces patient recalls for additional views and the anxiety associated with those.” As a board-certified breast radiologist, Dr. Patra reads only breast studies, so she is skilled in detecting abnormalities and performing diagnostic breast procedures. Research shows that imaging centers staffed with specialized breast-imaging radiologists are better able to detect cancer in its earliest stages. Same-Day Diagnostic Services Knowing the unease associated with waiting for additional tests af-
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Advanced 3-D imaging technology, expedited diagnostic services, extended hours and other amenities make the Breast Care Center at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital the go-to choice for screening and diagnostic breast services in The Heights. Tomosynthesis detects smaller breast tumors The Center now boasts leadingedge 3-D digital breast tomosynthesis. This innovative imaging technology can detect smaller breast tumors by eliminating the problem of overlapping breast tissue where potential cancers can hide with traditional 2-D mammography. It is particularly beneficial to women with dense breast tissue. “The ability to peel back layers with tomosynthesis is a tremendous advance,” says Ajanta Patra, M.D., a dedicated breast radiologist affiliated with the Memorial Hermann Breast Care Center - Greater Heights. “Not only can we detect smaller tumors at
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Most of us have heard the dire statistics on breast cancer in America: about one in eight women stands a chance of fighting the battle in her lifetime. That’s terrifying. However, there’s a better statistic on breast cancer that’s worth sharing. According to a study conducted by the Stanford University School of Medicine, women who are active in breast cancer support groups live an average of 50 percent longer than those who aren’t. “We all need to feel connected to one another as human beings,” stated Dorothy Gibbons, Chief Executive Officer for The Rose. “The support provided by other women who are going through the medical and emotional journey of breast cancer can be of great help to those who are doing the same.” Gibbons is also the co-founder of the Houston-based nonprofit agency, The Rose, and knows what she is talking about. The Rose has reduced deaths in our area by providing access to screening, diagnostics, and treatment services to women regardless of their ability to pay. The Rose addresses barriers that keep a woman from proper breast cancer care. “At The Rose, our greatest need
“For me, there was already a support network. I knew women with whom I could share and ask for help. Also, I was treated at MD Anderson and had access to an large network of resources and medical assistance. Many women do not have those kinds of assets,” she said. Cari decided that knowledge was her best defense; she learned as much as she could which, she explained, helped keep fear at bay. What did she learn that she wants people to know? “There are more and more incidences of breast cancer showing up in younger women. This is no longer an old lady’s disease,” Cari stated. Celebrated Heights artist Thedra Cullar-Ledford is not only a breast cancer survivor, but the challenge has motivated her remarkable artwork. Some of her conceptual art is funny, some is angry, but most of it is about being a woman which includes strong statements about “women’s boobs, both having them and losing them,” she states. Currently Cullar-Ledford has a show hanging at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston titled “LadyPart Follies” until the week before Thanksgiving. On opening night at the CAMH, she filled a giant boob
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