FEATURE

The spot on her breast, on the front where she could see it, was about the size of a nickel. Carol Capps said she felt a burning sensation there. They had been visiting a friend that had cancer. On the way back she asked her husband Ben if it were possible to have sympathy cancer.

Carol worked at Regional Medical at the time, 1999, and she asked a friend if she could take a “peek” at it. They didn’t have time for the peek until the following Friday. Her friend forwarded the test to the radiologist. Soon after that Carol learned she didn’t have sympathy cancer. It was real.

It had only been 11 months since Carol’s last mammogram, but the test results she had showed a three-anda-half-centimeter mass in her breast. She first visited a Paducah surgeon and when he discussed surgery, she decided to get a second opinion and that led to her going to the breast cancer clinic in Nashville. During that initial trip to Nashville Carol said, “I had a nice long talk with God.”

She said she originally thought she would have a mastectomy and remove the unaffected breast for good measure.

That was before she understood about lymph node mapping technology that used nuclear dye to mark the affected lymph nodes. Carol’s doctor did not recommend a mastectomy and chose instead to do a lumpectomy. After the surgeries, an initial procedure and a follow up to make sure there was a clear margin between the tissues where the cancer had been and the unaffected areas, Carol progressed from surgery to post-operative treatment.

Chemo came next, two different rounds of four sessions each. Carol said, “You have got to stay positive. I got the first one down. I didn’t think about the next.”

“Cancer”, Carol said, “is not just a patient’s cancer it is a family ordeal.” She said she believes that cancer made her a much more compassionate person. “It made me a more outgoing person,” she continued, “God put me in the path of other people and put a lot of people in my path.”

Carol shared her experiences. She said she prayed with people in large stores, restaurants and public places, something she would have never done before her cancer diagnosis.

In 2009 Carol observed her 10th anniversary as a cancer survivor. She was working with Avon, a cosmetic firm that is also one of the largest corporate sponsors of breast cancer awareness and contributor to cancer research. She had seen how a group of people in Benton had hosted a paint the town pink fund raiser for breast cancer so she decided to enlist the aid of her Avon friends to host an Avon “Pink Ribbon Walk” in Calvert City

Over 300 people showed up to walk and donate money for cancer research. Carol and her friend Donna Cullen worked every year for 10 years to organize and host the Pink Ribbon Walk in Calvert City. They raised an estimated $70,000 over the 10 years they worked to host the event and raised $19,000 in 2019.

Calvert City’s Pink Ribbon Walk is now hosted by the Calvert Area Development Association and is set for Saturday, October 16, 2021.

Carol said it was a very satisfying, even pleasing to organize and produce the pink ribbon walk, but it got harder to get it done each year. She said she got excellent help from businesses and people in the community for the walk. She also said her husband Ben was a big help, “I couldn’t have done it without his help,” she said.

Carol said she wanted to remind people to get their annual mammogram. She said, “It is well worth a minute of pain.” She also said, “I was glad to do the Pink Ribbon Walk. The people came and gave.” The day of the walk was always a good day.

Changed By Cancer By Loyd Ford-The Lake News

Cancer, says Carol Capps changed who she was. Carol and her friends organized the annual October Pink Ribbon Walk in Calvert City for 10 years. During that time, they raised an estimated $70,000 for cancer research.

Breast THE Cyst Breast Cyst COMMON LUMP

By Amber Arevalos

As women, we are in a constant state of self-care. We take our skin routines and upkeep in order, but what about cancer prevention? Lumps and bumps can make their appearance in a common cancerous area, our breast. So how do we know what to look for, and when is it time to worry? These are common questions many women search the internet to find the answers to.

Breast cysts are fluid-filled sacs that appear on the inside of the breast. These types of lumps are usually benign or noncancerous. Breast cysts are found in women under age 50. These bumps are movable, smooth and can vary in size. You might experience discharge and your breast may even feel tender. They often change size either before or after your menstrual cycle.

The Mayo Clinic states that treatment for these cysts need minimal intervention. If you choose to visit your physician you can expect to take a thorough history and physical exam that may include imaging testing. It may be a mammogram or breast ultrasound that they prescribe. These imaging tests are designed to view the inside of the breast. Physicians are unable to diagnose without these images. Most breast cysts will disappear on their own, and if they are bothersome, seek medical attention to find relief. The most common procedures are aspirations to drain the fluid-filled sack. In some rare cases, a doctor may recommend surgical intervention. Surgery is recommended only when the cyst is a frequent re-occurrence.

These lumps are usually noncancerous and do not increase your risk of breast cancer. If the cysts form excessively, it may be difficult to detect if any bumps may feel or look different. If you experience a lump that does not feel like a cyst, it is time to contact your physician. Lumps to worry about are those growing in size, that never shrink or dissipate and may be painful.

Feeling a lump anywhere on your body can be scary, especially as a woman and not knowing what it is. Take the time to learn how to give a self-test and be aware of the options you have. Your physician can educate you and provide information on how to prevent and relieve these breast cysts. Not all lumps and bumps are created equal. Learn what to feel for to know how to make the right treatment decisions.

If you experience a lump that does not feel like a cyst, it is time to contact your physician.