SURVIVORS
Fearless, wise, strong, beautiful, grateful,
ALIVE!
ages of hope, su s s e m ppor g c e n n r i a A C r t w a s t, and a r en Sh Bre a ess October 18, 2015
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Muskogee Phoenix
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Diagnosis led to double mastectomy By Cathy Spaulding
in the other breast. my mind, I thought it “I elected to have a was going to be over, in double mastectomy,” she probably spring. Then I Sue Branan said she said. “I decided if I went had those complications. “really had to think” through this once, I was It’s not a path I would when doctors asked if never going to have it have chosen, but I had a anyone in her family again.” great support system.” had breast cancer. Branan underwent Branan said she felt “I had a grandmother surgery in January an outpouring of love on my dad’s side who 2007. She recalled feelfrom her family, as well had breast cancer, and ing fortunate afterward, as her “families” at that was the only relawhen doctors said she First Baptist Church of tive I know of who had would not need chemoMuskogee and Oktaha it,” said Branan, 56, an therapy because they school. Oktaha school administrative assisfound no lymph node coworkers brought the tant at Oktaha Public involvement. family meals, she reSchools. “I had forgotAccording to the Sucalled. ten that she had had san G. Komen Founda“A lot of women I it when she was very tion, lymph nodes act as didn’t really know young, and she lived filters for the lymphatic would come up to me to be 90. So when they system. Lymph nodes Staff photos by Cathy Spaulding asked me, I first said no. under the underarm are and tell me their stories about how they Then, I remembered.” the first place breast Oktaha Public Schools Administrative Assistant Sue Branan, left, visits with Oktaha had breast cancer,” Consequently, Branan cancer is likely to Elementary Principal Tanna Kincade. They are breast cancer survivors who helped recalled not expecting she said. “The thing I spread. each other. anything when she had Although Branan did learned from it is there a routine mammogram not need chemo, compli- is always someone else. I hear of someone else in 2006. cations arose when she who survived it.” “Then they called underwent reconstrucme back for a second Reach Cathy Spauldtive surgery. mammogram, and I “The cancer was more ing at (918) 684-2928 didn’t think that would involved that it should or cspaulding@muskbe anything,” she said. have been,” she said. “In ogeephoenix.com. “Then they said I needed a biopsy, and I still didn’t think it would be anything, because I do have several relatives who had fibroid tumors.” Then the doctor called her back from the biopsy and gave a diagnosis of breast cancer, Branan said. “It was in the early stage,” she said. “And they said they were fortunate to have caught it early, but it was deep in the chest wall.” Branan recalled meeting with several doctors about her options. “My husband and I talked a lot about it,” she said She recalled hearing that with the type of cancer she had, there Oktaha Public Schools administrative assistant Sue was a 20 percent chance Branan sheds tears when she recalls her battle with the cancer would appear breast cancer in 2006. Phoenix Staff Writer
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Muskogee Phoenix
Oct. 18, 2015 — Page 3
Signs and symptoms of breast cancer Not all breast cancers found are discovered by mammograms Widespread use of screening mammograms has increased the number of breast cancers found before they cause any symptoms. Still, some breast cancers are not found by mammogram, either because the test was not done or because, even under ideal conditions, mammograms do not find every breast cancer. The most common symptom of breast can-
cer is a new lump or mass. A painless, hard mass that has irregular edges is more likely to be cancerous, but breast cancers can be tender, soft, or rounded. They can even be painful. For this reason, it is important to have any new breast mass or lump or breast change checked by a health care professional experienced in diagnosing breast diseases. Other possible symptoms of breast cancer include: • Swelling of all or part of a breast (even if no distinct lump is felt)
• Skin irritation or should also be reported dimpling to your doctor. • Breast or nipple Although any of these pain • Nipple retraction symptoms can be caused (turning inward) • Redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin • Nipple discharge (other than breast milk) • Sometimes a breast cancer can spread to lymph nodes under the arm or around the collar bone and cause a lump or swelling there, even before the original tumor in the breast tissue is large enough to be felt. Swollen lymph nodes
by things other than tor so that he or she can breast cancer, if you find the cause. Source: American have them, they should be reported to your doc- Cancer Society
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Muskogee Phoenix
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Mammogram finds woman’s cancer early Lumpectomy leads to simpler treatment for Wagoner woman
of Tulsa, who conducted a needle biopsy, which came back free of cancer, Hambrick said. Then Smith arranged for an MRI, which also came back clean. By Mark Hughes Hambrick said that Phoenix Staff Writer her doctor wanted to After her twenty-first “look further” and conmammogram last year, duct a lumpectomy, Jan Hambrick, at the which Hambrick agreed age of 66, was told to. Her lumpectomy was she had a lump in her scheduled for December. breast. During a lumpectoThe lump was so my, a small amount of small, she said, that normal tissue around it could have been six the lump is taken to months to a year before help ensure that all the she would have discovcancer or other abnorered it during a self-ex- mal tissue is removed, am. according to the Mayo Hambrick, of Wagoner, Clinic’s website. was sent to Dr. Lynette (See Hambrick, Page 6) Smith, Breast Surgery
During her twenty-first mammogram, Jan Hambrick of Wagoner found out she had breast cancer. The lump was so small she would never have found it during a self-exam and it could have been a year before it grew to a size that could be noticed, she said. Her cancer was at stage zero and was resolved through a lumpectomy and radiation. Staff photo by Mark Hughes
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Hambrick Continued from Page 4
Two days before Christmas last year, Hambrick found out she had breast cancer. Her first thought was of her daughters and her husband, she said. So she and her husband drove to Catoosa and Claremore to personally tell them the news, Hambrick said. The news resulted in tears — “they didn’t want to lose their momma,” she said. Traditionally the family gathered at the Hambricks for Christmas, enjoying the turkey, ham and all the side dishes family members bring. By that time everyone in the family who needed to know, knew, Hambrick said.
Muskogee Phoenix
“I didn’t want Christmas to be all about me, I just wanted to enjoy the family,” she said. After her lumpectomy, the doctor came in and said, “You’re not going to die and you’re not going to lose your hair,” Hambrick said. The lumpectomy revealed that she did have cancer, but it was stage zero, she said. “This means that the cancer is still contained in the cell walls and has not broken through to spread.” As a result, Hambrick only needed radiation — 30 treatments, five days a week, she said. The only side effect was being tired. To date, Hambrick is cancer free because of a mammogram which she now must receive every six months, she said. Since Hambrick’s
mother had breast cancer and had to receive chemotherapy and radiation, and a cousin of hers had uterine cancer, Hambrick decided to take a DNA genetic test to find out if breast cancer ran in her family, she said. The test came back negative. If the test had been positive for a genetic marker for breast cancer Hambrick said she would have had a double mastectomy. Hambrick has advice for others. “Please do not forget your mamms, because there would have been no way I could have felt this one,” she said. “If you don’t do it for yourself, do it for your loved ones.” Reach Mark Hughes at (918) 684-2908 or mhughes@muskogeephoenix.com.
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There are different kinds of breast cancer Cancers vary in location of origin, invasiveness
have not spread to other tissues in the breast. • Invasive ductal carcinoma. The abnorCommon kinds of mal cancer cells break breast cancer are— through the ducts and • Ductal carcinoma. spread into other parts The most common kind of the breast tissue. Inof breast cancer. It bevasive cancer cells can gins in the cells that also spread to other line the milk ducts in parts of the body. the breast, also called • Lobular carcinoma. the lining of the breast In this kind of breast ducts. cancer, the cancer cells • Ductal carcinoma begin in the lobes, or in situ (DCIS). The lobules, of the breast. abnormal cancer cells Lobules are the glands are only in the lining that make milk. • Lobular carcinoma of the milk ducts, and
in situ (LCIS). The cancer cells are found only in the breast lobules. Lobular carcinoma in situ, or LCIS, does not spread to other tissues. • Invasive lobular carcinoma. Cancer cells spread from the lobules to the breast tissues that are close by. These invasive cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Muskogee Phoenix
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Principal determined to beat cancer By Cathy Spaulding Phoenix Staff Writer
Oktaha Elementary Principal Tanna Kincade recalls her worry when a mammogram appointment went much longer than expected. “You kind of know, when you’re there an hour, and normally your mammogram is 20 minutes,” said Kincade, 54, Oktaha Elementary principal. “I was going, ‘OK, something’s not good.’” Then, the radiologist confirmed her fear, saying “it doesn’t look good.” The mammogram showed a tumor by the right breast bone, plus calcification in several areas, Kincade recalled. “Then, we started the biopsies. You have to wait for the results. They don’t want to tell you anything,” she said. “When they say the word ‘cancer’ your mind goes to the worst things.” Kincade said her grandmother and three aunts had survived breast cancer. She recalled how embarrassed her grandmother felt after her surgery. “They didn’t do reconstructive surgery, years and years ago,” Kincade recalled. “I remember her not wanting us to see her in her gown. It was just different then.” She said she was fortunate to have friends who survived breast cancer, as well as a sister who worked at a cancer treatment center. Kincade underwent surgery Aug. 23, 2010. She chose to have a double mastectomy. “The worst part was when I found out I had to have chemotherapy,” she said. Her chemo treatments
Staff photo by Cathy Spaulding
Oktaha Elementary Principal Tanna Kincade admires kindergartner Kayson Maples’ book. Kincade longed to return to work after chemotherapy for breast cancer.
lasted from October through January. “I chose to stay off work the whole time,” she said. “I was determined to get back to work.” She had her last chemo treatment Jan. 18, 2011. She returned to school that March. “The kids always wanted to see my bald
head,” she said. Oktaha students had special ways of showing their support, she said. “When I came back, all the kids wore hats. I had a hat on.” The Oktaha student council had special Breast Cancer awareness events that October, (See Kincade, Page 9)
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Muskogee Phoenix
Breast cancer statistics Not counting some kinds of skin cancer, breast cancer in the United States is — • The most common cancer in women, no matter your race or ethnicity. • The most common cause of death from cancer among Hispanic women.
• The second most common cause of death from cancer among white, black, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native women. In 2012 (the most recent year numbers are available) — • 224,147 women and
2,125 men in the United States were diagnosed with breast cancer. • 41,150 women and 405 men in the United States died from breast cancer. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Staff photo by Cathy Spaulding
This wall hanging symbolizes one way Tanna Kincade sees her life.
Kincade Continued from Page 7
she said. Friends and family also showed their support. “I had some friends who had a surprise hat party for me,” she
said. “My hair came back in really curly, and in a different color. But now, it’s back to the same color.” Kincade said she has been cancer-free for five years. However, she said she continues to have PET scans to watch for any returning cancers. “I went every three
months for four years. Now I go every six months,” she said. She also is having bone density tests because chemotherapy tends to deplete calcium, she said. Reach Cathy Spaulding at (918) 684-2928 or cspaulding@muskogeephoenix.com.
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Muskogee Phoenix
Oct. 18, 2015 — Page 10
Survivor says she’s an ‘overcomer’ Words of faith from colleague pushed her through treatment By Harrison Grimwood Phoenix Staff Writer
Words from a Muskogee woman’s prayer partner led her from breast cancer to a faithful healing. Sandra Riley, a breast cancer survivor, said the words of Derryl Venters pushed her through treatment. “She’s the one that said to me, ‘You know you’re already healed, God said just walk in your healing,’” Riley said. “That was the word that kept me going.” Riley, a second-grade school teacher at Benjamin Franklin Science Academy, was diagnosed with breast cancer in December. Initially, Riley felt a bit numb at the diagnosis and the flood of information that came with it. She said she avoided treatment at first. But the words of Venters and the holistic support of her family, school and community drove her through it. “I know it says cancer survivor, but, in the Bible it always talks about we will overcome,” Riley said. “And that’s what we all are, we’re overcomers.” After eight months of radiation, chemotherapy and a surgery, she returned to her lifelong passion of teaching. Aug. 5 was her last radiation treatment. She
Staff photos by Harrison Grimwood
Sandra Riley, who overcame breast cancer this year, stands by the philosophy of science that she teaches her students at Benjamin Franklin Science Academy. Right: A happy little note pokes out of a plant sent to Sandra Riley by former students and their children, welcoming her back to school.
returned to teaching the same month. “I really don’t like to talk about that — it was not a pleasant thought,” she said. “But my God has said he is able.” She said she probably waited longer
than she ought to have when seeking treatment. But it was meeting the right people along the way that pushed her toward the healing path, she said. “I belabored it for a while, waiting for it to go away,” Riley said.
Riley said she’d gone through some changes, and her family and friends had noticed, telling her she needed to get checked out. After that, it wasn’t long until she was healed. (See Riley, Page 11)
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Riley
Muskogee Phoenix
getting treatments that the anointing and words of God are so strong that they be Continued from Page 10 healed,” she said. “I pray that they won’t Now that her treathave to go through a ment is done, she keeps others struggling lot of this trauma.” Riley said finding to overcome breast scripture, and the cancer in her prayers. support around her, to “I pray that anyone stand on kept her up walking anywhere
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during her diagnosis and her treatment. “Don’t get bogged down,” she said. “If you can get one scripture to stand, that’s all you need.” Reach Harrison Grimwood at (918) 684-2926 or harrison. grimwood@muskogeephoenix.com.
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Muskogee Phoenix
Oct. 18, 2015 — Page 12
Breast self-exam guidelines Metro Creative
can be an important part of early breast cancer detection. In addition to schedAlthough many womuling clinical screenings en are aware that they and mammograms, women should routinely should become familiar examine their breasts to with their bodies, many detect any abnormalities. are unsure about just These breast self-exams how frequently they
should conduct breast examinations. Experts at Johns Hopkins Medical center advise adult women of all ages to perform self-examinations at least once a month. (See Exam, Page 13)
Risk factors for breast cancer vary Some things may increase your risk for breast cancer. If you have risk factors, you may be more likely to get breast cancer. Talk to your doctor about ways to lower your risk and about screening. Reproductive risk factors • Being younger when you had your first menstrual period. • Never giving birth, or being older at the birth of your first child. • Starting menopause at a later age. • Using hormone replacement therapy for a long time. Other risk factors • Getting older. • A personal history of breast cancer, dense breasts, or some other breast problems. • A family history of breast cancer (parent, sibling, or child). • Changes in your breast cancer-related genes (BRCA1 or BRCA2). • Getting radiation therapy to the breast or chest. • Being overweight, especially after menopause. Source: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
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Exam Continued from Page 12
That’s because 40 percent of diagnosed breast cancers are first detected by women who feel a lump. Establishing a regular breast self-exam schedule is important.
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Muskogee Phoenix Begin by looking at the breasts in a mirror. Note the size and appearance of the breasts, and pay attention to any changes that are normal parts of hormonal changes associated with menstruation. Breasts should be evenly shaped without distortion or swelling. Changes that should
cause concern include dimpling, puckering or bulging of the skin. Inverted nipples or nipples that have changed position, as well as rash or redness, should be noted. The same examination should be done with arms raised over the head. The breasts should
be felt while both lying down and standing up. Use the right hand to manipulate the left breast and vice versa. Use a firm touch with the first few fingers of the hand. Cover the entire breast in circular motions. The pattern taken doesn’t matter so long as it covers the
entire breast. All tissue, from the front to the back of the breast, should be felt. The same procedure should be conducted standing up. Many women find this easiest to do while in the shower. It is important not to panic if something is detected. Not every lump
is cancer. Bumps may be normal, as certain areas can feel different than others. Bring concerns to the attention of your doctor. Breast self-exams are a healthy habit. In conjunction with mammography, self-exams can help detect breast abnormalities.
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Family, friends aid in woman’s battle By Mark Hughes
even though I knew I would lose it,” she said. An elementary Most people lose school teacher said weight with chemoit was a “God thing” therapy but, “I’m when she discovered her aggressive breast probably the only one on chemo who gained cancer at the age of weight from it,” she 39. said. Cheryl Fite said Fite hated wigs, but that her friend’s sister had breast cancer she wanted to keep things as normal as at the age of 39 and possible because she they couldn’t believe it. Fite is a special ed- had two grade-school ucation teacher at To- children. “That’s what kept ny Goetz. Her cancer me alive — my little occurred before she began teaching there. girls who needed me. I didn’t want them to Fite conducted self-exams “every now lose their momma,” she said. and then” and told During her ordeal, herself she needed to she kept a cancer do better. The next journal. month, in the sum“I have to mention mer of 1998, she discovered a lump which the outpouring of love and caring from famresulted in a single mastectomy on Labor ily and friends,” she wrote. “It has touched Day, she said. “Nobody in my fam- me deeply to know ily had breast cancer,” how many people care Fite said. “I thought it about me.” One person espewas a cyst and wasn’t cially made her life afraid at all.” Her doctor told her easier. Mary Ann Couch coordinated the tumor contained meals provided by two types of cancer family and friends and was aggressive. Another four months for the whole six and the results would months she was sick, Fite said. While her have been “devastatfamily appreciated ing,” her doctor told the gesture, Fite said her. During the opthat some food smells eration, the surgeon discovered the cancer “really turned my stomach.” had spread to her Her last chemo lymph nodes — stage treatment was March 2 cancer. From October 1998 22, 1999, her dad’s 67th birthday. to March 1999 she From her journal: “I received eight rounds of chemotherapy and was really depressed when I finished my lost all of her hair. treatment. It seems “That made me so strange because mad, I felt violated, Phoenix Staff Writer
it seems like I’d be happy! ... I felt like I was doing something about it while taking treatment. When they stopped, I felt helpless.” A week after her last chemo, family and friends had a surprise party for her. Everyone who had helped her through her ordeal was there, she wrote in her journal. One of her children made “no more chemo” signs, she wrote. Her journal entries indicate she was worried about a recurrence. “I try to have fun and stay very busy and pretend that I’m not worried about a recurrence, but I do,” Fite said. “I don’t dwell on it, but I think about it when I have an unusual pain or just don’t feel well.” Fite saved some uplifting mementos from her cancer battle. “Friends and family sent me funny cards, about one a week, just silly cards that made me laugh,” she said. “I’ve saved them all.” “People ask me if it’s changed me and I don’t think it has,” Fite said. “My positive attitude, family, friends and faith got Staff photo by Mark Hughes me through it.” Reach Mark Hughes Breast cancer survivor Cheryl Fite, special education teacher at Tony Goetz, uses word at (918) 684-2908 flash cards with Destin McCary, Micus Conard, Brayden Webb and Jacqueline Zamora. Her or mhughes@muskstudents had written the word “survivor” several times on the classroom’s white board Friday as October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. ogeephoenix.com.