Your Health - Breast Cancer Awareness 10-22-2020 1 by Richner Communications, Inc

your HEALTH body / mind / fitness

October 22, 2020

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October 22, 2020 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; BREAST CANCER AWARENESS - HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

That monthly breast self-exam is so important

Make that mammogram are priority

It’s time to schedule your diagnostic mammogram Mammography screening saves lives. Every year, mammograms reduce breast cancer mortality by 40 percent and cancers are often detected in earlier stages. However, both nationally and locally, there has been a considerable decrease in preventative cancer screenings due to Covid-19 pandemic shutdowns. “We understand that feeling hesitant or fearful about obtaining a screening during this time is normal,” said Reyna Machado, director of the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program. Now, however, as New York has opened back up, it is possible to safely get a mammogram. “We needed some time to prepare our offices, and put the measures in place so we could care for our patients’ safety,” said Karen Kostroff, M.D., FACS and Chief of Breast Surgery at Northwell Health System and board member of the Adelphi Breast Cancer Program. “Today our breast imaging offices are clean and safe and open for patients. It is very important for women to return for mammography, and not to skip this year.” Among the many local breast cancer resources ready to assist, Adelphi aims to empower people to take control of their health and that includes scheduling their annual mammograms, urging those needing to schedule a screening to contact their doctor’s office today. “If you or someone you know has faced job loss and/or lacks health insurance, our Sisters United in Health initiative at (516) 877-4336 can connect you with free and/or low-cost mammography screening resources (in English and Spanish), said Angelica Medina, Sisters outreach supervisor. To reach the Adelphi Breast Cancer Hotline call (800) 877-8077. You are not alone.

Don’t let anxiety get the better of you What to know before you go A mammogram is an important step in taking care of yourself and your breasts. Whether you’re a mammogram newbie or a veteran, knowing what to expect may help the process go more smoothly. How to prepare If you have a choice, use a facility that specializes in mammograms and does many mammograms a day. Try to go to the same facility every time so that your mammograms can easily be compared from year to year. If you’re going to a facility for the first time, bring a list of the places and dates of mammograms, biopsies, or other breast treatments you’ve had before. If you’ve had mammograms at another facility, try to get those records to bring with you to the new facility (or have them sent there) so the old pictures can be compared to the new ones. Schedule your mammogram when your breasts are not tender or swollen to help reduce discomfort and get good pictures. Try to avoid the week just before your period. On the day of the exam, don’t wear deodorant or antiperspirant. Some of these contain substances that can show up on the x-ray as white spots. If you’re not going home afterward, you might want to take your deodorant with you to put on after your exam. You might find it easier to wear a skirt or pants, so that you’ll only need to remove your top and bra for the mammogram. Discuss any recent changes or problems in your breasts with your health care provider before getting the mammogram. Don’t be afraid of mammograms! Remember that only two to four screening mammograms in 1,000 lead to a diagnosis of breast cancer.

Once you get there Always describe any breast changes or problems you’re having to the technologist doing the mammogram. Also describe any medical history that could affect your breast cancer risk — such as surgery, hormone use, breast cancer in your family, or if you’ve had breast cancer before. Before getting any type of imaging test, tell the technologist if you’re breastfeeding or if you think you might be pregnant. What to expect when getting a screening mammogram To get a high-quality picture, your breast must be flattened. The technologist places your breast on the machine’s plate. The plastic upper plate is lowered to compress your breast for a few seconds while the technologist takes a picture. The whole procedure takes about 20 minutes. The actual breast compression only lasts a few seconds. You might feel some discomfort when your breasts are compressed, and for some women it can be painful. Tell the technologist if it hurts. Two views of each breast are taken for a screening mammogram. But for some women, such as those with breast implants or large breasts, more pictures may be needed. What to expect when getting a diagnostic mammogram A diagnostic mammogram is often done if a woman has breast symptoms or if a change is seen on a screening Continued to Don’t let

Above photo: It’s normal to feel some anxiety prior to a mammogram, but it’s important to set aside those fears.

In addition to scheduling clinical screenings and mammograms, it’s vital to continue to routinely examine and massage your breasts to detect any abnormalities. These breast selfexams can be an important part of early breast cancer detection. Although many women are aware that they should become familiar with their bodies, many are unsure about just how frequently they should conduct breast examinations. Experts at Johns Hopkins advise adult women of all ages to perform self-examinations at least once a month. 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 very important. 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 any rash or redness, should be noted. In addition, 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 pattern and procedure should be conducted while 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 breast cancer. And bumps may actually be normal parts of the breast, as certain areas can feel different than others. But bring any concerns to the attention of your doctor. Breast self-exams are a healthy habit to adopt. When used in conjunction with regular medical care and mammography, self-exams can be yet another tool in helping to detect breast abnormalities. Doctors and nurses will use similar breast examination techniques during routine examinations. Above photo: Breast self-examination remains a useful and important screening tool, especially when used in combination with regular physical exams by a doctor, mammography, and in some cases ultrasound and/or MRI.

October 22, 2020 — BREAST CANCER AWARENESS - HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

Know your body

Take back control

and make a note of who you’ll call the next day to get your answer. It will help you control the tornado spinning in your head. The internet can be a wonderful tool, but remember to proceed with caution. Always stick to reliable sources. More important, remember every person’s cancer is different. Online research can lead to statistics and prognostic information that is not relevant to your specific situation. Find other ways to occupy your mind. Word puzzles, knitting, computer games, a good book — anything to distract you and give you a breather from thinking too much.

Coping after diagnosis

Being diagnosed with cancer is like having the rug pulled abruptly from under your feet. Your world is suddenly turned upside down. You find yourself on a path you never expected to travel, with no idea of where it will take you. At every step along the way, you face new challenges. Here some suggestions culled from those who have been there on the path forward. Don’t try to do it alone Allow yourself to accept support. It’s not easy. As women, we’re used to doing it all. But this is your time to take care of you. Say yes to offers of practical help with day-to-day things like cooking, shopping, etc. Your family and friends will appreciate this. They feel powerless and want to help. Clearly communicate your needs to anyone who offers support. Let them know what is and isn’t helpful. The emotional roller-coaster is as draining as the physical journey. There are no right or wrong emotions. Find ways to express your feelings — share with others, attend a support group, talk to a counselor, keep a journal. Holding emotions in makes them larger than life. Enlist the help of your medical team Gather a medical team that gives you comfort as well as the confidence that your health needs are being addressed the way you think they should. Make the most of your doctor visits.

Prepare a list of questions. Bring someone along as a second set of ears and for moral support. Tell your doctor as much as you can about your life so you can discuss treatment options in the context of your daily reality. Never hesitate to express your questions and vulnerability to your medical team. This is new for you and very scary. Let your team know what you’re feeling, what your fears are. They need to know so they can treat the whole “you,” but they won’t know unless you tell them. Take control of information overload Put a pad of paper on your nightstand. When you wake up during the night, your head filled with “what ifs,” write them down

Be good to yourself Instead of focusing on what you have ahead, look at what you’ve accomplished. Give yourself credit and see your own strength. Live in the moment as often as you can. Worrying about the future won’t resolve unknown issues down the road. It only robs you of today. Try to take a break from cancer when you can. Engage in things that add joy to your day, activities that help you relax and have fun. This will feed your soul and remind you that you’re much more than your cancer. Give yourself permission to move “you” to the top of the list. Leave the guilt behind. A cancer diagnosis impacts you mentally, physically and emotionally. You are exhausted on many levels. Allow yourself time to process and heal so you can recover. Above photo: Everyone copes with a diagnosis of breast cancer in different ways and you’re likely to experience a range of emotions. There’s no list of right or wrong feelings to have and no correct order to have them in.

Don’t let anxiety get the better of you Continued from Don’t let

mammogram. More pictures are taken during a diagnostic mammogram with a focus on the area that looked different on the screening mammogram. During a diagnostic mammogram, the images are checked by the radiologist while you’re there so that more pictures can be taken if needed to look more closely at any area of concern. In some cases, special images known as spot views or magnification views are used to make a small area of concern easier to see. How will I get my mammogram results? If you don’t hear from your health care provider within 10 days, do not assume that your mammogram was normal. Call your provider or the facility where the mammogram was done. A full report of the results of your mammogram will be sent to your health care provider. Mammography clinics also must mail women an easyto-understand summary of their mammogram results within 30 days — or “as quickly as possible” if the results suggest cancer is present. This means you could get the results before your provider calls you. If you want the full written mammogram report as well as the summary, you’ll need to ask for it.

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October 22, 2020 — BREAST CANCER AWARENESS - HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

HEALTH MEMO

Don’t put your breast health on hold

f you have been delaying screenings, follow-up consultations, or treatments for breast cancer due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside will provide you with outstanding care in a safe patient environment, close to your home. “If you need care, don’t wait any longer to schedule it,” said Christine Hodyl, DO, Director of Breast Health at Mount Sinai South Nassau. “The benefits of getting care now are much greater than the risks of delaying care.” Mount Sinai South Nassau adheres to rigorous policies and procedures for cleanliness and patient safety; this includes deep cleaning and sterilizing of all hospital departments and outpatient specialized health care practices. A part of Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Gertrude & Louis Feil Cancer Center in Valley Stream, the hospital’s Breast Health Center offers a multi-disciplinary breast care program that is accredited by the American College of Surgeon’s National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). Surgeons use advanced techniques that aim to preserve as much of the healthy breast and surrounding tissue as possible. This includes breast-conserving surgery, in which only the tumor or abnormality is removed; or mastectomy, an operation in which the whole breast is removed. For invasive breast cancer, these procedures may be accompanied by a sentinel lymph node biopsy or by a surgery performed on the lymph node.

Christine Hodyl, DO, FACS, presents a patient with her radiology results in the comfort of Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Gertrude and Louis Feil Cancer Center in Valley Stream.

Dr. Hodyl specializes in oncoplastic surgical techniques. Oncoplasty combines surgical cancer removal with plastic surgery to produce a superior cosmetic end result. Recommendations for whole-body or “systemic” treatments, such as hormonal therapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of two of the three therapies, may follow either surgical approach. If early-stage breast cancer is present, sentinel lymph node biopsy is used as an alternative to lymph node surgery. “We get to know our patients and treat the whole person,” said Dr. Hodyl. “At some hospitals, you are just a number. That’s not the case at Mount Sinai South Nassau. We are family.” The program is complemented by the hospital’s standard-setting women’s health services, a 2020 5-Star Recipient for all four Women’s Care cohorts as well as the Gynecologic Surgery Excellence Award™ by Healthgrades. To schedule a consultation, or for more information about the Breast Health Program or the Gertrude & Louis Feil Cancer Center, call 516-632-3350, or visit southnassau.org/cancer.

Dr. Hodyl reviews the patient’s medical history with her, prior to her exam.

Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.

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WHEN CANCER HITS CLOSE TO HOME, THAT’S WHERE WE’LL TREAT IT.

BREAST CANCER

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SUPPORT/RESOURCE GUIDE

ADELPHI NY STATEWIDE BREAST CANCER SUPPORT & HOTLINE More than 100 highly trained volunteers offer emotional support, information and referrals, all free. Social work staff provides professional services. Hotline as well as extensive support groups and counseling program, with educational forums and advocacy activities. Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Support & Hotline 800-877-8077 516-877-4320 breast-cancer.adelphi.edu

SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation site provides updated cancer research and offers practical breast health tips. The site also includes information about Race for the Cure. A helpline is available. Susan G. Komen for the Cure 877 GO KOMEN (800-462-9273) ww5.komen.org

Provides support services (including on-line and on-site support groups), education, information, referrals and financial assistance. A Long Island office is located in Woodbury. Cancer Care, Inc. 800-813-HOPE 516-364-8130 (Long Island) www.cancercare.org

LEAN ON ME BREAST CANCER NETWORK INC. Established to provide comprehensive resources to women for issues pertaining to breast health and disease. Programs and services are designed to assist patients and families to manage their diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Lean on Me Breast Cancer Network Inc. 516-829-6609 www.leanonmebcn.com

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LIVING BEYOND BREAST CANCER LBBC is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering all women affected by breast cancer to live as long as possible with the best quality of life. Programs and services include the helpline, conferences, teleconferences, networking programs, newsletters, publications and recordings. Living Beyond Breast Cancer Survivors’ Helpline 888-753-5222 www.lbcc.org

LAHH provides customized services to breast cancer patients in hopes of relieving some of the stress and worry a cancer diagnosis and ensuing treatment creates. It addresses the needs of women in the Long Island communities of Carle Place, Garden City, Hempstead, East Meadow, Mineola, Westbury and Uniondale. Mid Nassau Lend A Helping Hand, Inc. (LAHH) 888-420-1030

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BREAST CANCER HELP, INC. Since its inception, Breast Cancer Help has taken a multlipronged approach to combating breast cancer on Long Island, according to the organization. Breast Cancer Help, Inc. 745-520-3075 breastcancerhelpinc.org

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LONG BEACH BREAST CANCER COALITION This group’s mission is to promote awareness, advocate for increased funding for research into the causes of breast cancer, and for improved methods of detection and treatment; and assistance in securing access to screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Long Beach Breast Cancer Coalition 516-943-3404 longbeachbcc.com

SHARE: SUPPORT SERVICES FOR WOMEN WITH BREAST OR OVARIAN CANCER Offers peer-led support to women with breast or ovarian cancer, their families and friends. Services include hotlines, support groups, wellness programs, educational forums and advocacy activities. SHARE: Support Services for Women with Breast or Ovarian Cancer 866-891-2392 www.sharecancersupport.org

PATIENT ADVOCATE FOUNDATION Co-pay relief program provides direct financial support to insured patients, who must financially and medically qualify to access pharmaceutical co-payment assistance. The Foundation also assists patients with medical debt crisis, insurance access issues and job retention. Patient Advocate Foundation 866-512-3861 www.copays.org

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY The American Cancer Society is a nationwide, community-based health organization dedicated to the fight against cancer. Free information on treatment, reconstruction, sexuality and relationships. Offers prevention, education, advocacy, emotional support and other services for all types of cancer and referrals for the ACSsponsored “Reach for Recovery” program. American Cancer Society 800-ACS-2345 www.cancer.org

Y-ME NATIONAL BREAST CANCER ORGANIZATION Provides support, counseling and information. Tips for talking with family and friends (including children). Partner Match program, a service for those supporting women through breast cancer, and a guide, When the Woman You Love Has Breast Cancer. Also Your Shoes, a 24/7 breast cancer peer support center. Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization 800-221-2141 www.y-me.org

NATIONAL LYMPHEDEMA NETWORK Nonprofit organization that provides patients and professionals with information about prevention and treatment of this complication of lymph node surgery. Call the hotline for referrals. National Lymphedema Network 800-541-3259 www.lymphnet.org

Hewlett House, located in Hewlett, is a community learning resource center offering many support programs, outreach, education, research, Reiki, Tai Chi, chair yoga, wig program, counseling, art center, music and pet therapy. All at no charge in a home enviornment. Hewlett House 516-374-3190 hewlett-house.org

This list is intended to help you locate resources. It is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all available resources nor is it an endorsement of any of the providers, programs or services listed.

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Screenings with no out-of-pocket expense for those in need. Also providers of Cancer Services Program, a comprehensive cancer-screening and counseling service where breast, cervical and colorectal screenings are regularly performed free of charge for women and men who qualify. NUMC Breast Imaging Center 516-572-3300 www.numc.edu/our-services/diagnosticimaging/

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The Breasties mission is to empower those affected by breast and reproductive cancers by igniting strength and positivity through connection, free retreats, wellness activities, events and an all-inclusive resourceful online community. The hope is to spread the message that whatever you are going through — you are not alone. The Breasties thebreasties.org

A WORLD OF PINK (AWOP) This nonprofit is a health facility dedicated to providing comprehensive aftercare and education for all women who have chosen or due to health reasons undergo breast surgery. A World of Pink (AWOP) 516-513-1275 • 631-364-9684 aworldofpink.com

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House cleaner service at no charge, each person with cancer receives one general house cleaning per month for two consecutive months. Note from doctor needed. Cleaning For A Reason 877-337-3348 www.cleaningforareason.org

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Unique retreat program that combines breast cancer education and peer support with the therapeutic sport of fly-fishing, at no cost to participants. Casting For Recovery 631-252-7195 www.castingforrecovery.org

Helps residents of Manhasset and nearby communities who are coping with breast cancer. Outreach Program provides information, emotional support, wellness retreats, gifts of hope, housecleaning, financial assistance and transportation services. Manhasset Women’s Coalition Against Breast Cancer (MWCABC) 516-627-2410 www.manhassetbreastcancer.org

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MAURER FOUNDATION FOR BREAST HEALTH EDUCATION Educational breast health programming focusing on breast cancer prevention, healthy lifestyle choices, early detection and risk reduction. Presentations offered at no charge for high schools, colleges, community groups and businesses. Maurer Foundation For Breast Health Education 631-524-5151 www.maurerfoundation.org

Through a partnership with Support Connection, Pink Aid offers a support hotline for breast cancer patients and survivors. Services offered include ongoing emotional support and navigational support to help in finding resources. The hotline is open Monday to Friday yearround. Pink Aid 1-800-532-4290 www.pinkaid.org

October 22, 2020 — BREAST CANCER AWARENESS - HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

BREAST CANCER

CURE MOMMY’S BREAST CANCER Financial assistance, moral support, and educational information to those in need of financial assistance while suffering the burdens of breast cancer as well as other forms of cancer. Assistance with insurance premiums, rent, utility bills, home cleaning services, and transportation costs to special schools for sick children. Cure Mommy’s Breast Cancer 516-967-1148 www.curemommy.org

MERCY MEDICAL CENTER BREAST CANCER SURVIVORSHIP PROGRAM Free mammograms, ultrasounds, molecular breast imaging and biopsies to qualified medically underserved and uninsured residents of Nassau and Suffolk County. Mercy Medical Center Breast Cancer Survivorship Program 516-705-1399 mercymedicalcenter.chsli.org

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Provides emergency aid for individuals who need support due to their breast cancer diagnosis. Funds are offered to help pay for non-medical, household expenses.

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NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE Provides information on all aspects of cancer and on clinical trials. National Cancer Institute 800-4-CANCER www.cancer.gov

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HEALTH MEMO

Eating your way to a healthier you (member of the pea family). Fiber supports the digestive system and the regular elimination of waste. It helps the body eliminate toxins and limits the damage that they can do. Foods rich in vitamins such as vitamin D are needed for a healthy diet. Vitamin D is present in eggs, cold water fish, and fortified products. Other healthy foods that may help prevent breast cancer, are low fat milk and dairy products, soybean-based products, foods and spices with anti-inflammatory properties and plant based foods that contain antioxidants. Nicole Borukhov, Cornell Cooperative Registered Dietitian, works to make food choices healthy and delicious. “Eating healthy doesn’t mean a bland, raw diet of foods that you don’t like. We offer many healthy and simple recipes on our website. It is fun to change up your meal plan and easy to add healthy choices. This Leek Pesto can be made ahead and used to power up soups or as a delicious dip.”

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veryone has heard, at least once in their lives, that they need to eat right. Then most people immediately think, “Healthy food doesn’t taste good.” “I don’t want to eat rabbit food”…. and so on. If you are instantly resistant, be assured, there are many ways you can make healthier adjustments to your diet that you will reap benefits from. “Simply make one change or good habit at a time. Ease into healthy choices so you can stick to them.” suggests Courtney Reiss, Registered Dietitian at Lynbrook Restorative. Lynbrook Restorative has patients with many different dietary needs or maybe restrictions. Our dieticians work with our culinary staff to make sure our patient’s diets specifically suit their needs. Healthy eating is in place at Lynbrook Restorative to avoid hindering recovery. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let’s put our focus on how specific foods can be better choices to help make a difference to our risk of developing breast cancer. Keep in mind, no single food or diet can prevent or cause breast cancer. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends consuming between five and nine servings of fresh fruit, especially berries and peaches and vegetables such as dark, green, leafy vegetables like kale and broccoli. Also recommended are foods that are rich in fiber, such as whole grains, beans, and legumes

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October 22, 2020 — BREAST CANCER AWARENESS - HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

What’s ahead

Breast cancer doesn’t stop. Not even for Covid-19. And neither does research to continue to find new and better treaments. Here are some of the latest developments, funded by the American Cancer Society.

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Paraic Kenny, PhD

Hanlee P. Ji, MD

Mouse Study: New Targets for Treatment of Hormone-Resistant Breast Cancers • Grantee: Paraic Kenny, PhD • Institution: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health • Type of Research: Biochemistry and Immunology of Cancer

Monitoring the Treatment of Metastatic Cancer Using DNA in the Blood • Grantee: Hanlee P. Ji, MD • Institution: Stanford University School of Medicine • Type of Research: Cell Biology and Preclinical Cancer Research

Some types of breast cancer are affected by hormones, like estrogen and progesterone. Those breast cancer cells have receptors that attach to estrogen and progesterone, which help them grow. Treatments that stop their attachment are known ashormone therapy. For instance, some drugs, including letrozole (Femara), keep estrogen from being made. Others, like tamoxifen (Nolvadex,Soltamox), keep estrogen from attaching to the receptors on the cancer cells. Studies have shown that these drugs work in large part because they also suppress the effect of a substance called amphiregulin, which is found in normal, healthy cells. Amphiregulin helps normal cells grow, but it also helps hormone-positive cancer cells grow. Unfortunately, tumors can develop resistance to these successful hormone therapies, rendering them ineffective. ACS grantee Paraic Kenny, PhD, recently published results of a mouse study showing that amphiregulin is closely linked to the growth of estrogen-receptor positive breast tumors. Importantly, these findings may provide a strategy to treat certain types of breast cancers. Why does it matter? This could mean drugs that reduce the effect of amphiregulin in hormone positive cancers could also be used to treat hormone negative cancers. For example, drugs that target amphiregulin in the future may be used to treat triple-negative breast cancer, which has many fewer treatment options available today.

Metastatic cancer refers to a cancer that has spread from where it started to a new part of the body, in a process referred to as metastasis. Many of these cancers can be hard to treat because cancer cells change during the process of spreading, and treatments that worked before may no longer work. Because of this, a key part of treating metastatic cancer is to continually evaluate how well a treatment is working so an ineffective treatment can be stopped and other options can be offered. To measure a treatment’s effect, tests have been developed to look for high levels of tumor DNA circulating in the bloodstream — called ctDNA, for circulating free DNA. Recent ACS grantee Hanlee P. Ji, MD, has developed a highly sensitive, potentially customizable, and practical approach for detecting ctDNA in the blood of patients with several types of metastatic cancer, including breast, colorectal, lung, and melanoma. The approach is called digital PCR, or dPCR (digital polymerase chain reaction). Hanlee’s recently published results from a pilot study show that dPCR may be as effective as other methods used to measure ctDNA. Plus, it’s low-cost, with results available in a matter of hours. Why does it matter? While the studies are still in their early phases, Hanlee’s research supports the use of ctDNA monitoring with dPCR testing along with other tests or alone. So far, comparisons of this new approach to existing blood tests and imaging options are encouraging. More investigation could lead to improved monitoring of treatment response in patients whose cancer has spread.

Saturday, October 24th (rain date is Sunday, October 25th) from 10:00am - 12:30pm. Our Flu Shot Clinic will be outdoors in a Socially distant environment for everyone’s safety and comfort. Care Packages, music and scrumptious fall snacks will also be part of the day’s event. Please RSVP to Denise Walsh 516-316-2977 to book your appointment at our Flu Clinic.

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October 22, 2020 — BREAST CANCER AWARENESS - HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

Latest research developments continue to offer hope

Lynbrook Restorative Therapy and Nursing is hosting

SURVIVOR’S STORY

Margaret Carroll Lynbrook

I Research is what drives better medical diagnosis and treatment and every day the research we help fund allows us to understand more about how breast cancer starts and how best to treat it. So the way your mother, sister or friend was diagnosed and treated 30, 20 or even 10 years ago is not likely to be how you will be treated today.

remember so well, it was January and I was down in Florida for a week on a business conference. I woke up in the morning and noticed in the mirror some tiny red dots on my nightshirt. I’m seriously confused and thinking “What’s that?” and upon further investigation I realize that it is the nipple on my left breast that was leaking a small amount of blood. Unexpected blood is never a sign of something good. I’m all alone in Florida and suddenly very scared —“Oh my God, is this breast cancer?”

Due to peri-menopausal symptoms, I had been on one of those prescription estrogen/progesterone patches for about two years and immediately I ripped that patch off. I also did a self-exam and didn’t feel anything abnormal. Still I’m not the kind of person to go into denial and hope for the problem to just go away. I knew something had to be wrong — a nipple shouldn’t be leaking blood! I called up my GYN and made an appointment for as soon as I got back home. My GYN got me in right

away for an exam. Trying to alleviate some of my feelings of doom, he said don’t worry, be calm and know that there are benign reasons for this kind of thing. He said I was due for my annual mammography anyway and recommended that he add on a breast sonogram to better rule out any serious abnormality. I was so happy to get an appointment for the next day. They do the mammography first and then you go back into the waiting room until they call you in for the sonogram. I

get a mammogram every year and like everyone else, I hate it. It’s not so much the discomfort, for me it’s the stress of wondering whether they will “see something.” So now I’m about to have the scariest mammography of my life. I’m waiting to be called in and feeling sick to my stomach. What if they find something this time; do I have breast cancer; am I going to die? After it was done, I was told the radiologist has to do the final reviewing of all the images, I pretty much got from the technician that everything looked okay, no real change from last year. Wow, what a relief; maybe this weird nipple thing is a benign condition? I still had to wait for the sonographer to call me in but with nothing apparently showing up on the mammogram. I felt pretty relieved. Then the sonographer called me in and said she was going to start with the left breast because that was the one with the leaking nipple. I remember her being quite chatty as I asked her what she was measuring. She said in a baseline sonogram she measures everything she sees but a lot of what she was measuring looks like benign imperfections in the breast and the important thing is

that they don’t grow or get suspicious. She spent a lot of time on the left breast looking for things to measure and the experience was actually very calming as she chatted away. After she was done with the left breast she said she was now going to the right breast. I remember saying to her that I was surprised the doctor wanted a sonography of both breast because it was only the left breast under suspicion. She said it’s standard to do both, and this way we will have a baseline on both breasts. She starting probing the right breast and perhaps within 30 seconds suddenly stopped talking to me and her whole demeanor changed. She is measuring and measuring and I asked her whether she see something and she looks at me but gives no answer — just a serious business-like face and no more conversation. She finishes up and tells me the radiologist will come and may want to also check things out. So again I’m waiting. After a long 10 minutes the radiologist comes in and says she too will exam my breast with the probe, but she only exams my right breast – how weird? After probing she I needed a biopsy, the sonogram showed something very suspicions in

my right breast, in fact two suspicious spots near each other. I said how can that be — did you see this in the mammography? She said the mammography looked fine but the sonogram is showing that there is definitely a problem in my right breast. I said “Definitely? Couldn’t it just be a false positive?” She said from her experience, while possible, it is very unlikely and I need to promise her that I am going to take her advice seriously and get a biopsy as soon as possible. I was in shock and actually had some trouble accepting the news. Hearing about all the false positives with sonograms and the resulting biopsies they generate, I’m like “No, it was my left breast that started all this; my right breast is fine.” But I went and scheduled my biopsy of the two suspicious spots in my right breast, and I guess the doctor who reviewed my sonogram report and did my biopsy knew too. He said “we are sending the tissue for analysis and you should be prepared” They were all correct, the biopsy of both spots came back cancerous. I was 50-years-old and had breast cancer. One positive thing in my favor was that both spots were Continued to Margaret

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October 22, 2020 — BREAST CANCER AWARENESS - HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

SURVIVOR’S STORY Continued from Margaret

when you know more about your enemy, you’re in a better position to plan your attack and win the battle. One thing about breast cancer — because of its high incidence and the enormous amount of public advocacy to fight and cure the disease, the funding for research is extensive. Research is what drives better medical diagnosis and treatment and every day the research we help fund allows us to understand more about how breast cancer starts and how best to treat it. So the way your mother, sister or friend was diagnosed and treated 30, 20 or even 10 years ago is not likely to be how you will be treated today. I interviewed three surgeons to discuss how best to proceed. Even though I had two spots, they all said I would still be a good candidate for lumpectomy because the spots were close together. The lumpectomy would be followed by a number of sessions of radiation; and of course some lymph nodes would have to be removed to check for spread and stage the disease. I asked about mastectomy. They said I also could opt for that, along with reconstruction, but then there would be no

need for radiation because the entire breast is removed. I said which procedure is better at ridding this thing and lowering the likelihood of reoccurrence? None of the doctors could really answer that because they said both procedures are equally effective at removing the cancerous tissue; that more

my surgery quite well; the whole ordeal seemed surreal, like I wasn’t really there. I remember waking up in recovery all bandaged up and surprisingly not in much pain. The surgeon said all went well and they didn’t see any signs of cancer in the removed lymph nodes but I would still have to

I’m still standing; I’m still cancer-free; and while I remain vigilant I’m very grateful for each day God has given me.

information will be gathered after the tissue and lymph nodes were removed to determine the actual staging and prognosis. So at this point the surgical procedure was really my “choice.” To many people’s surprise, I chose mastectomy. I think it was because I developed two independent spots in the same breast; I just felt that perhaps there were even more spots developing in that breast that we could not yet see. Maybe that was crazy; I had no proof, but that was my gut feeling so I went with it. I handled the day of

wait for the final histology report. Oh no, more waiting. After about two weeks the report came in; negative lymph nodes, a relatively good histology, and an optimistic receptor combination (estrogen-positive, progesterone-positive, HER2negative). So apparently I did catch this early and was given a Stage 1 diagnosis. Next step, oncologist. I also started reading up on what was the so-called “standard care” for my exact situation. To my amazement, again there appeared to be some choices, but this was due mostly because of my age.

Anti-estrogen therapy of course was a must, but there was some uncertainty about whether chemo was necessary. If I was under 50 standard care seemed to say yes, but if I was 50 or older there was much less statistical difference in the incidence of survival or recurrence whether chemo was used or not. I was hoping the oncologist could shed some light. I brought my husband with me to the first oncologist who quickly came to the conclusion that I should have already started chemo. He then wrote me a script for the chemo; told me to pick it up at the pharmacy and bring it back to his office so we can get started ASAP. Having just turned 51, I mentioned I read about standard care for my age, staging and histology. He said you are healthy and young-looking with no underlying conditions; you will do well with chemo so I’m going to treat you as if you are 35. I said, but I’m not 35, so what kind of reason is that? He confused me but scared my husband and inlaws who then wanted me to start treatment right away. I needed a second opinion. Without any prompting

or knowledge of what the first oncologist said, the second oncologist told me that I had choices and that I might do very well with just anti-estrogen therapy. I then told him that I had gone to another oncologist who was insistent that I need chemo and even wrote me up a script to get it from the pharmacy. He said you are lucky that you have a choice and if you want chemo I will agree to give it; but at 51 in your situation, if you were my own sister, I would remind you that chemo is not a “walk in the park;” that it comes with risks, risks not taking if you can do well on anti-estrogen therapy. I chose the second oncologist, and that choice was made over 14 years ago now. I’m still standing; I’m still cancer-free; and while I remain vigilant I’m very grateful for each day God has given me. My two kids have graduated high school and college; I was there to plan and attend my daughter’s wedding; and hopefully in a few years I also get to see and enjoy some grandchildren.

October 22, 2020 — BREAST CANCER AWARENESS - HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

small, about 10 mm, which meant hopefully I was catching this early and had a good fighting chance. So the battle begins. I was scared, very scared. Some breast cancers are very aggressive, hard to treat and spread early. My daughter was 14 and my son 11; what if this is the beginning of the end for me and my kids lose their mother? My own mother died of rheumatic heart disease when I was 14 and it was very tough. Was history going to repeat itself? My mom wasn’t there my high school or college graduations; she wasn’t there for my wedding; she wasn’t there to see and enjoy her grandchildren. I was now not only scared for my kids but scared of the thought of losing out on all those joyful moments my own mother missed by dying so early. I started reading up on the most recent surgical and oncology treatments for the various types and stages of breast cancer. Being a biochemist and college educator, this was a natural thing for me, but I recommend everyone with a cancer diagnosis take some charge and learn about your disease. Knowledge is power and

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October 22, 2020 — BREAST CANCER AWARENESS - HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

SURV VOR WALL As a tribute to Breast Cancer Survivors, friends and family members honored their loved loved ones by submitting a message

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

To our staff members and the community: When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.

Richner Communications, Inc. salutes each and every survivor for their courage, bravery and resilience. We wish you continued success and healing on your journey of recovery. Always live your life by your own terms, not cancer’s. Remember how far you’ve come — you may not be where you want to be, but neither are you where you used to be. Remain strong and steadfast and be guided the knowledge that you are victorious. Savor each moment, each day; the strength of positivity will continue to carry you forward. You are an inspiration to us all. Stuart Richner, Publisher, and the RCI Management Team

– Isaiah 43:2

About Dr Loraine Alderman Psy.d:

To my special education crew, Gerrie, Debbie and Bonnie:

In May 2019 our lives changed forever with your sudden diagnosis of two invasive cancers of the breast. Throughout the recovery from the double mastectomy, infected lymph node removal, reconstruction, chemotherapy and other treatments; there were many trials and tribulations regarding your survival. You showed amazing inner strength and fortitude. You are an amazing wife and mother and now cancer survivor. Your Cancer Care Clothing Bank will help other women and be a huge success.

It was a tough year with three diagnoses of breast cancer in a matter of weeks. All of you make me so proud to call friend. We cried, laughed and talked, but all of you made it though and with beautiful smiles on your faces! I love you all and I’m so happy to call you my friends! Thank you God for continually shinning on these beautiful woman! We are truly blessed!

From Bill And Andrew Alderman East Meadow

My wife:

Love always to Mary O’Neill.

You went through a lot the summer of 2019, but not alone.The love and prayers from your family and friends were also there with you.Now that it seems that you are free of breast cancer, we can both look forward to the birth of our first grandchild.

She is a breast cancer survivor now fighting a metastatic cancer too. Thank you. Regards, Ms. Mary Beth Procaccini

I Love You Marilyn! Your husband, Dennis

Love you! Terrie

To all my sister survivors who have survived breast cancer: To mom: Loving, devoted, community driven. You’re always there to give those in need, providing optimism and positive attitude to fight the fight. We celebrate you today, 10-year survivor. You’re the strongest!! Love Jill and the Wondertwins

May we always remember to live every day to its fullness, let go of the things that don’t matter, eat well and get enough rest, count our blessings, be grateful for second chances, pass on our wisdom to those who walk this same path, thank God the days of chemo and/or radiation are behind us and show the world that having cancer can in fact be a wake up call to live life filled with joy! Rabbi Janet B. Liss

SURVIVOR’S STORY

Baldwin

When I ﬁrst heard of my diagnosis I was a bit shocked. But, I had been volunteering with the American Cancer Society for 10 years at that point, and I always felt if I was to ever hear those words “you have cancer” I knew I would be okay because I knew so many people with the ACS.

I did, because another two tumors were found, making me also stage 2a Intraductal Carcinoma Breast Cancer as well as lymph node involvement. First, I was “only” going to be having surgery, but because of the other two tumors and lymph node involvement; after speaking to my oncologist, Dr. Thakker, I then had to have six rounds of TCHP — Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin and Perjeta. My course was every three weeks. In addition to the medications I also received pre-meds of Benedryl and steroids. Before the chemotherapy got started, I had a port placed in my chest for the meds to go into (I did not want this, but OMG, so much

easier to do treatment and my countless blood work). Once chemo was completed I had to continue infusions of Herceptin and Perjeta for another 12 treatments. I cannot lie, chemo was hard, but I got through it with the best caregivers a girl could have. My village is big and I am so grateful to them. Treatment was hard on my body and mind. But I coped with the support of my friends. They delivered meals so myself and my boys could eat. Friends sat with me outside so I could get air and the sun on my face. I finished my chemo and then I had radiation, 25 sessions. Luckily, with the help of my son, I did not

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live in Baldwin, but grew up in the neighboring town of Oceanside. I am 52-years-old and currently separated. I have two boys, ages 19 and 17. Four years ago I started working for Costello’s Ace Hardware in Baldwin Harbor. Unfortunately my fiancé passed away and I went to a psychic medium, Shira Benedetto, for a reading. She relayed a message that I needed to go to the doctor. I was 50 when I was diagnosed with originally stage 0 Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS). After many discussions with a breast surgeon, Dr. Christine Hodyl, as well as plastic surgeon, Dr. Ott-Young, I opted for a double mastectomy and I am so glad

year. This month, Oct. 22, I will be having another breast surgery to replace my implants (since the radiated side changed drastically). My advice to any person, female or male, is to check your body often and to listen to your body and seek medical attention ASAP. Go to your annual exams on time. Early detection will definitely save your life. I have to say, when I heard those words — “you have cancer” — I knew it was not a death sentence. The American Cancer Society has made so many advancements in the breast cancer field.

October 22, 2020 — BREAST CANCER AWARENESS - HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

Jennifer Scarduzio

burn too badly. When I first heard of my diagnosis I was a bit shocked. But, I had been volunteering with the American Cancer Society for 10 years at that point, and I always felt if I was to ever hear those words “you have cancer” I knew I would be okay because I knew so many people with the ACS. My maternal aunt had breast cancer as well as ovarian and cervical cancer. And her daughter had cervical cancer. Each of us have had • the BRCA testing and are all negative. But I feel as though I’m still not “out of the woods” because I’m an Ashkenazi Jew and breast and ovarian cancer go together. Before I started chemo, I went to see my former store manager and he told me about Mondays at Racine. I called them, and I was told that a new charter salon was opening up in Hewlett (not too far from me) so I made my appointment and off I went. Alison Artz, owner of Ambiance Salon, made me so comfortable and made me feel like I belonged. I didn’t feel weird to be bald... ahhh the scalp massages are the best. My next step in treatment is to take Anastrozole for 10 years (well about 9 1/2 years left) and I get a shot every three months to suppress my ovaries. I started a new medication Nerlynx for a

October 22, 2020 — BREAST CANCER AWARENESS - HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

What’s on the plate always matters

Don’t overlook your diet during diagnosis, treatment and recovery Your diet should be part of your treatment plan, It is difficult to know exactly what impact cancer treatment will have on your body. Beyond the physical toll the treatments often have, appetite is commonly affected. As is so often the case, the best defense is a strong offense. Heading into treatment, it is critically important to best prepare your body for the battle ahead. There are many great foods —so called super foods — that are not only extremely high in nutrition, but also provide sources of much-needed energy for your body. While no one food can ever prevent or cure cancer, certain foods have shown benefit in helping you keep nourished and strong during treatment.

Eggs: During cancer treatment your body needs protein in order to rebuild cells, eggs are not only high in protein, but are also a great source of vitamins B, D and E which may help to protect your body from cancer drug toxins. Eggs also contain a high abundance of choline, a nutrient found in the yolk that has been linked to a reduced risk of breast cancer.

Ginger: Ginger has shown a tremendous ability to help with nausea — something that affects more than 70 percent of patients during treatment. In fact, studies reveal that ginger may possess anti-inflammatory qualities that actually help in reducing the nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy. In addition, ginger has been shown to improve the absorption of essential nutrients in the body.

Courtesy Alyssa Greiner

Alyssa Greiner with her daughter Emma.

Brussels Sprouts (Cruciferous Vegetables): Several studies have linked greater consumption of cruciferous vegetables such as brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, and turnips with a decreased occurrence of several forms of cancer due to their ability to help your body detoxify.

Life with BRCA1

How a genetic mutation saved my life By Alyssa Greiner Cancer has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I was 11-years-old when my mom developed breast cancer. At age18, her cancer returned and at 25, just as I was about to get married, she learned it had spread; it was stage 3 ovarian cancer. Five years later my mom passed away at the age of 55.

Beans and Legumes: Legumes, a class of vegetables that includes beans, peas and lentils, are a natural on any anti-cancer food list as they provide a great source of B vitamins, antioxidants and valuable protein which aids your body in healing and strengthens your immune system. In addition, legumes are usually very low in fat, cholesterol free, and high in potassium, iron and magnesium.

Shiitake Mushrooms: Cultivated the world over for the reported health benefits, shiitake mushrooms contain lentinan, an immune system-stimulating compound that reportedly activates cells and proteins that may inhibit cancerous growths. A great source of iron and minerals, shiitake mushrooms also contain B vitamins, niacin, choline, folate, zinc and manganese. Shiitake mushrooms are also a great source of plant based protein.

Genetic Testing 101 I spent the majority of my childhood/ young adult life watching my mom fight cancer, fearing someday it would be me. The anxiety accompanying every doctor’s appointment, expecting to hear, “You have cancer,” wasn’t alleviated by a clean bill of health, feeling that the cancer diagnosis would inevitably come one day. Living in fear was not healthy so I decided it was time to take control. After speaking with my breast surgeon about my family’s history with breast cancer — fortunately my mom and I discussed this — we agreed that genetic testing was my next step. I met with a genetic counselor who explained the process and potential outcomes, then drew my blood. A few weeks later, I received a call that my results were in. Fairly certain what the outcome would be, my husband and I sat in the doctor’s office waiting to hear what I had been dreading, but was strangely prepared for… I tested positive for the BRCA1 mutation. Feeling scared and uncertain, I jumped into action, making appointments with specialists to learn everything I could about BRCA1. I asked questions, taking in every bit of information and advice so I could make an informed decision. I finally chose to see a doctor that ran a high-risk program for women like me. Here’s some of what the doctor shared about having a Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer mutation (HBOC): • With BRCA1, I have an 87 percent chance of developing breast cancer and a 63 percent chance of developing Ovarian Cancer in my lifetime. • The BRCA mutation can be passed down from your mother or father’s side, it does NOT discriminate between men and women; they can both have it. • As an Ashkenazi Jewish woman, there was a 1 in 40 chance of having this mutation. • I have a 50-50 chance of passing this gene on to my child. With this data, I knew I made the right

decision to get tested, and proceeded with a plan to have an exam every six months, along with annual breast MRIs, mammograms and sonograms (ovaries and breasts). Aware that the surveillance available to diagnose ovarian cancer was not as good as that for breast cancer, my doctor strongly recommended that by age 40 I remove my ovaries and fallopian tubes (ovarian cancer is very difficult to detect early on). When I turned 35, I took my doctor’s advice and underwent a prophylactic bilateral oophorectomy. With one preventative surgery done, I knew I’d eventually need a preventative double mastectomy and reconstruction. So, in 2015 at the age of 43, after hearing from my breast surgeon,“your mom had a breast cancer recurrence at your age and with a BRCA1 mutation, you are a ticking time bomb,” I decided to be proactive and scheduled my surgery. After years of living in fear of cancer, I was finally in control and officially a Previvor: defined as a survivor of a predisposition to cancer but who hasn’t actually had the disease. Now I focus on advocating and educating others on how prevention and genetic testing saved my life and potentially my daughter’s, who is now 18. We have spoken at length about the BRCA mutation and how it might affect her, considering she has a 50-50 chance of inheriting it from me. I pray every day that this won’t be the legacy I leave behind, and that she tests negative, ensuring that the mutation ends with me. But for some reason, if she should have it, we’ll get through it together armed with knowledge, love and the tools available to us. My journey has been long and often difficult, but please know that I am OK with the choices I made; they saved my life. Remember that knowing your family history is key to deciding whether you should have genetic testing. So ask questions, demand answers and use that knowledge wisely — it just might save yours. About Alyssa Greiner:A longtime resident of Merrick, Alyssa works with Mondays at Racine, a Long Island-based cancer care foundation that provides free health, wellness and beauty services to men and women in treatment for cancer. She is also a patient advocate speaker for Myriad Genetics, sharing her story with doctors, nurses, patient navigators and men/women all over the country, educating them about the importance of genetic testing. Alyssa is married to Scott. They have a daughter, Emma, and an awesome dog named Lucy!

HEALTH MEMO

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Services include: • Diagnostic Audiology for pediatrics and adults • Comprehensive Hearing Aid evaluation, selection, fitting and service plans • Cochlear Implant candidate assessment and mapping • Musician earplugs • Free baseline screenings • Swim plugs and more Our office is now open for scheduling appointments. And we are happy to offer curbside hearing aid repairs and supplies delivery.

EasternAudiology.com 70 Glen St., Suite 100, Glen Cove • 516-674-9300 Temporarily Health memos arelimiting supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff. our hours

he Centers for Disease Control has stated that breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States. Like many of you, Elisa F. DeJunco, OD, has a family history of breast cancer and has spent most of her adult life getting screened, as well as trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. As an eye doctor, she stresses the need for her breast cancer patients and survivors to have annual eye exams with dilation services, since breast cancer can metastasize to the eye. Also, many people are unaware that ways to prevent AMD (AgeRelated Macular Degeneration), one of the leading causes of blindness in the world, can also help decrease your breast cancer risk. According to the Advances in Nutrition, a healthy diet of carotenoids, the micronutrients in fruits and vegetables, may reduce breast cancer risk. The carotenoids are found in the macula of the eye, the place where we have our sharpest vision, and when you increase your intake of carot-

enoids you help lower your risk of AMD. It is recommended to have 5-9 servings a day and should include green leafy vegetables, corn, pumpkin, papaya, peppers, garlic and cruciferous vegetables. Another micronutrient is astaxanthin. It is found in wild salmon and shrimp and this pow-

erful antioxidant has been found to alter the cancer pathway. Astaxanthin is what gives flamingos their pink color. So, eat up and have wild salmon with sauteed spinach and stay in the PINK!

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FREE FREE Delivery Dr. Susan Bressi of Supplies Hamilton

Au.D., CCC-A, FAAA

6332 NORTHERN BLVD. EAST NORWICH, NY 11732 (Across from Rothman’s)

516.624.3149 enoptics2020.com

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Call (516) 674-9300 for more information or to schedule a

Dr. De Junco, OD available 6 days a week. Spacious office to maintain social distancing.

Call (516) 674-9300 for more information or to schedule a Tele-Health Visit!

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Practicing Social Distancing

October 22, 2020 — BREAST CANCER AWARENESS - HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

Eastern Audiology

r. Susan Bressi Hamilton, founder of Eastern Audiology Resources, has been successfully helping thousands of patients from Long Island and throughout the five boroughs on their journey to better hearing and a better lifestyle since opening her office in the heart of Glen Cove in 1989! In these trying times, it has become ever more important to ensure clear communication, especially for those who have trouble hearing. Untreated hearDr. Susan Bressi Hamilton ing loss has been linked to a stronger decline in cognitive function, isolation, and depression. Dr. Hamilton’s Healthy Hearing Initiative focuses on personally tailoring state-of-the-art hearing solutions, many of which connect to computers and phones, to help and encourage her patients to be comfortable using common technologies like video messaging to stay in touch with friends and loved ones. Our offices are currently open for appointments, and we are operating in compliance with all CDC and WHO guidelines to protect both patients and providers. Select services are also available for virtual visits and curbside drop-off.

October 22, 2020 — BREAST CANCER AWARENESS - HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

HOW'S YOUR REHAB GOING?

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From the minute you enter our newly renovated facilities, you’ll experience the highest standards in care. From results-driven rehab to stunning private rooms, you’ll feel grand at Grandell.

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October 22, 2020 — BREAST CANCER AWARENESS - HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

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HEALTH MEMO Covid-19 can’t stop the Maple Pointe fun!

t Maple Pointe Assisted Living, located in Rockville Centre, we are making every effort possible to fill our residents’ lives with joy. We are certainly soaking up what is left of our warm weather by spending as much time as possible on our beautiful, outdoor patio. All of our staff members go to great lengths to ensure that our residents experience the highest quality of life, especially Andrea Rivette. Andrea is our bubbly Recreation Director who has been with Maple Pointe for almost 11 years! Her expertise and creativity have led to fulfilled lives and pure happiness amongst our residents. She is truly one of a kind and keeps our Maple Pointe residents engaged with fun activities all day long! She has managed to keep a sense of normalcy in our resident’s day-to-day routines during this global pandemic. While maintaining social distancing protocols, she brings together frequent patio wine socials, “horse racing”, gardening, dancing, yoga, and more for the residents to enjoy!

We strive to make to Maple Pointe an option for all seniors, because we are more than just an assistive living, we are home. Compassionate and devoted staff members like Andrea love to welcome new faces into our Maple Pointe family. We all work very hard to ensure a safe, smooth transition for seniors at a difficult time in their lives. Let us provide peace of mind and guide you back to a place of sanctuary by

giving your loved ones a home to thrive in. Our team of dedicated healthcare heroes is always prepared for whatever challenges are thrown our way; Covid-19 is no exception!

Find out how to get a free or low-cost mammogram.

SUPPORT COUNSELING REFERRALS

Find out about breast cancer programs in your community.

OUTREACH

Talk to someone who can help.

ADVOCACY

800.877.8077

EDUCATION

breast-cancer.adelphi.edu

L E B R AT I N

Due to COVID-19, our services are available over the phone and online.

1980 - 2020

YEARS

HEALTH MEMO Improve your overall health and lifestyle at PTI

e are proud to say we are going on 20 years at our Rockville Centre location. And operating for 34 years. By the nature of our business we are very lucky that it is much easier to stay in accordance with the CDC guidelines because we have always been one-on-one and by appointment only. That limits foot traffic tremendously unlike a big box gym. Since the pandemic, PTI has spent months preparing our facility to reopen in a safest way possible. We have followed all the CDC guidelines, including special MERK 13 air filters in our HVAC system. √ No-touch sanitizer dispensers and soap dispensers. No-touch paper towel dispensers. √ Plexiglass panes between all cardio equipment. √ Masks required for everyone in facility. √ Temperature checks upon entering facility with no-touch thermometers. √ Deep cleaning every two weeks and foggy as needed. √ Times allocated during the day for cleaning all machines and

bathrooms. √ Everyone is 6 feet apart. √ No more than three clients at any one time. New hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sunday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. We are up and running after a

long six months of waiting for the government to give us the green light. We are currently offering a complimentary trial! Book today.

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Health memos are supplied by advertisers and are not written by the Herald editorial staff.

SURVIVOR’S STORY East Northport

Trust in yourself that you do have the ability to persevere no matter how hard or challenging things may seem right now. And in the aftermath, you will say to yourself, wow, I did it! I am a warrior!

grew up in New Hyde Park and live in East Northport now. I am 41-years-old and diagnosed at age 36. I am married to a wonderful man with whom I share a 4.5 year old son with. I work in advertising. I was diagnosed with stage 2 triple negative ductal carcinoma. My son was only 5-months-old. I was breastfeeding and found a hard lump in my right breast, which I thought was breastfeeding-related, but turned out to be cancer. My breast surgeon wanted to do chemo first to shrink the tumor before surgery due to its location. It’s called neo-adjuvant chemo, followed by a double mastectomy with reconstruction. The diagnosis was shocking and my worst fear coming true. I was

diligent about surveillance for many years because I knew I carried the BRCA1 mutation and it runs in my family. All of my screenings prior to pregnancy were clear. The tumor grew from nothing to stage 2 in a very short period of time. Triple negative tumors are known for being very aggressive. I had 16 rounds of chemo in total. The first 4 were A/C (Adriamycin/ Cytoxan), known in the cancer community as the “Red Devil” due to its red color. It is also one of the most toxic types of chemo and made me very sick. After A/C, I had Taxol once a week over 12 weeks, with Carboplatin added once every four weeks. I was gratefully able to work from home. I was fatigued, ill, pale, puffy

OVER

from all the steroids they give you as a pre-med before chemo, bald, but tried my best to hold it together. I had a baby to take care of and still worked. Luckily, I also had lots of support. My family was instrumental in helping to care for my son. My son slept over my folks every time I got chemo, so my husband could focus on helping me. Being able to work from home was also a blessing at the time and made things a lot easier. College friends from out of town would fly in to help where they could. I have always been extremely diligent about surveillance. My mom was sick twice while I was growing up. The first time, around 1990, I was 10-years-old. It was after she was

YEARS

OF EXCELLENCE IN CARE

never end, that your hair will never grow back, that you’ll never feel like yourself again. But I promise, for as long as it may feel, it does eventually end and the body has an incredible way of healing itself. Trust in yourself that you do have the ability to persevere no matter how hard or challenging things may seem right now. And in the aftermath, you will say to yourself, wow, I did it! I am a warrior! For anyone reading this who may be a BRCA mutation carrier, I am an open book and welcome anyone to contact me if they find themselves struggling in any way at Alyflanz@ hotmail.com. BRCA life is not an easy one. It can feel unbearable at times and easily overwhelming. I feel lucky to now be in a position where I can support and help others, the type of support I was unable to receive for so long.

October 22, 2020 — BREAST CANCER AWARENESS - HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

Alyssa Lakes

diagnosed the second time, 10 years later, she found out about the BRCA gene and tested positive for it. That was around 2001. I knew there was a 50/50 chance she passed it down to me. When I was 25 (in 2005), is when she told me about it and that’s when I tested positive for it too. My sister is also BRCA1 positive. After I turned 30, my breast surgeon would often speak with me about pursuing a prophylactic mastectomy, but I wasn’t ready. I wanted to have a baby, breastfeed. Hindsight is 20/20. I’d also like to note that there were no support groups available to young women when I first found out I carried the mutation in 2005. Now post-treatment and recovery, everything has changed. After many years of therapy, I have been able to channel emotional imprints into empowerment, and since connecting with support groups over the last few years, like The Breasties, I’ve been able to find solace and community, after navigating this alone for many years. Any fellow Breastie can attest to the trials and tribulations of survivorship. It is a daily balance of courage, strength, resilience, fear, stress, sorrow, pride, and perseverance. Sometimes treatment can feel like an eternity, that it will

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By the numbers

October 22, 2020 — BREAST CANCER AWARENESS - HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

Knowledge is power

The American Cancer Society (ACS) esti- √ Death rates from breast cancer have dropped 40 oercent from 1989 to now (they have mates 17,540 New Yorkers will be diagnosed decreased by 1.3 percent per year from 2013this year. About 2,430 New Yorkers will die of 2017). As a result of this decline, 375,900 breast cancer this year, overall about 42,170 breast cancer deaths have been averted in women will die from breast cancer. U.S. women through 2017. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, except for skin cancers. √ Since 2007, breast cancer death rates have been steady in women younger than 50 but About 276,480 new cases of invasive breast have continued to decrease in older women. cancer will be diagnosed in women, according to the ACS. About 48,530 new cases of √ The breast cancer death rate is 40 percent higher in Black women versus white women, carcinoma in situ (CIS) will be diagnosed (CIS despite slightly lower incidence rates. For is non-invasive and is the earliest form of Black women under 50 this disparity is worse; breast cancer). the death rate is double that of whites. √ More than 150,000 women in the U.S. are livBreast cancer survivorship and risk ing with metastatic breast cancer, three-quar√ There are more than 3.5 million breast cancer ters of whom were originally diagnosed with survivors in the U.S. stage I, II, or III. √ As you get older, breast cancer risk goes up. Most breast cancers are found in women age 55 and older. Don’t overlook breast cancer in men √ 5.0 to 10 percent of breast cancers are In 2020, there will be about 2,620 new thought to be hereditary. cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed in √ The use of mammography increased from 29 U.S. men; about 520 men will die from the percent in 1987 to 70 percent in 2000 and has disease. For men, the lifetime risk of getting since declined slightly. (This does not reflect breast cancer is about 1 in 833. the pandemic.) Breast cancer is about 100 times less √ About 1 in 8 women diagnosed with breast common among white men than white women. It is about 70 times less common cancer in her lifetime. √ About 15 percent of women with breast can- among Black men than Black women. Both Black women and Black men with breast cancer have a family member with this disease. √ The chance that a woman will die from breast cer tend to have a worse prognosis. cancer is about 1 in 38 (about 2.6 percent). √ Breast cancer is the second leading cause of Understand the risk cancer death in women (lung cancer is the According to the latest ACS data, breast first). cancer incidence has continued to slowly

increase by 0.3 percent per year since 2004, largely because of rising rates of local stage and hormone receptor-positive (HR+) disease. This is likely driven in part by increasing prevalence of excess body weight and declining fertility rates — risk factors more strongly associated with this subtype. In contrast, incidence rates have decreased for hormone receptor-negative breast cancer, which is associated with poorer survival. In the most recent five-year period (20132017), the breast cancer death rate declined by 2.1 percent per year in Hispanics/Latinas, 1.5 percent per year in blacks, 1.0 percent per year in whites, and 0.8 percent per year in Asians/Pacific Islanders, and was stable in American Indians/Alaska Natives. However, mortality rates are no longer declining for black women in Colorado and Wisconsin, and for white women in Nebraska, Texas, and Virginia. During 2016-2017, breast cancer was the leading cause of cancer deaths (surpassing lung cancer) among black women in six states (Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina), and among white women in Utah. In four other states (Alabama, Massachusetts, New York, and Texas), the numbers of breast and lung cancer deaths among black women were similar. Other findings

SURVIVOR’S STORY

Geri Barish Baldwin

My fulﬁllment is Hewlett House — the warmth and love, the hugs, the fact that it doesn’t matter who you are, what you look like. We suffer together, help each other and laugh together. We are all survivors.

was born in the Bronx in 1944 and moved to Island Park when I was 8-years-old with my two sisters and parents. I was the baby — my older sister was 10 1/2 and my middle sister was 7 years older. We moved to Harbor Isle. I now live in Baldwin, where I have been for 56 years. I had two children. My son Michael died in 1986 from cancer and I have another son Eric. I am the executive director of Hewlett House and have worked for the Nassau County Department of Health as a community service representative in cancer for 27 years. I was 39 when I was first diagnosed with breast cancer. I found it myself, purely accidentally when I sneezed during the night. It was very small and felt like a pebble.

My mother had passed away from breast cancer at 64-years-old and even though I had a family history I didn’t think it was breast cancer because it was so high up on the clavicle. I went to the doctor and had a mammo and had a biopsy that was malignant. I decided along with my doctor to have a lumpectomy and radiation. I decided to take the least of the surgeries and treatment because my son was undergoing chemo for his cancer and I felt I needed to be there for him and the rest of my family. Unfortunately my son died two weeks after I was diagnosed. On the day of Michael’s funeral, I was supposed to start my radiation treatments. That first night of Shiva,

the rabbi came to the house and talked to me for what seemed to be many hours about going for my treatments. I was more like a mummy just doing what I was supposed to do — being numb and trying to do what Michael always told me when he found out he was dying (it doesn’t matter how long you are here on this earth, every second matters, don’t throw it away). So I moved on and went for my radiation for seven weeks, held my head up and somehow fought to live. I had promised my son that I would find out why people got cancer and that promise helped me through. My support came through getting together with researchers, cancer patients, the NCI and much more.

During 2012 through 2016, breast cancer incidence rates increased among Asians/ Pacific Islanders (1.5 percent per year), American Indians/Alaska Natives (0.8% per year), and blacks and whites (both 0.5 percent per year) but were relatively stable among Hispanic/Latina women. The 10-year probability of a breast cancer diagnosis is highest for women in their 70s (4 percent), whereas the 10-year risk of breast cancer death is highest in women in their 80s (1 percent). Among women 50 and older, rates of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) increased more than 11-fold between 1980 and 2008 (from 7 cases per 100,000 to 83), but decreased by 2.1 percent per year in the most recent time period (2012-2016), largely reflecting trends in the use of mammography, which increased from 29 percent in 1987 to 70 percent in 2000 and has since declined slightly. Higher breast cancer death rates in black women reflect a combination of factors that are difficult to parse, including later stage at diagnosis, unfavorable tumor characteristics, higher prevalence of obesity and pre-existing medical conditions, and less access to timely and high-quality prevention, early detection, and treatment services.

But my story didn’t end after one bout. I am a five-time cancer survivor: breast three times, also lung and skin. I went through chemo, loss of my hair and so much more — but the fight in me continued. I became involved in starting many groups both in Washington, D.C., and Albany. We fought for research dollars, mammography days; we knew nothing about genetics in the early days and demanded a seat at the scientific tables. We fought for environmental changes and clinical trials. I wrote the Pesticide Registry that took four years to get passed. Those little yellow signs on everyone’s lawn we demanded. We fought for insurance changes and coverage. I worked on Contract of America during the Clinton administration and was one of five people in the United States called by Senator Ted Kennedy to stop the roll back of mammography standards. In those days there was no genetic testing, so I did not have the test until many years later and do not have the gene. I have been involved with research for so many years and have learned so much about breast and other cancers that it became something that has been the focus of my life — to educate and know who we are;

Courtesy American Cancer Society

where we came from; what we live on, breathe, eat and so much more. I have met many incredible and wonderful people in this world of cancer. We are a family. We cry together and laugh together, we move on because we have to. We fight for our children, for the next generation. My fulfillment is Hewlett House — the warmth and love, the hugs, the fact that it doesn’t matter who you are, what you look like. We suffer together, help each other and laugh together. We are all survivors.

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October 22, 2020 — BREAST CANCER AWARENESS - HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS