Cancer screenings can save lives, expert says

Published on Monday, October 21, 2024

By: Jewell Davis, jdavis25@umc.edu

Sonia Walker, a nurse practitioner, is using her personal battle with breast cancer to encourage others to prioritize their health.

In March 2023, she went in for a routine mammogram. A week later, she received her results and noticed a concerning red exclamation point indicating an abnormal finding. At 52, this was her first experience with abnormal mammogram results.

Having a medical background, Walker, a Jackson resident, instantly understood the implications. She quickly scheduled a follow-up appointment that included an ultrasound and a diagnostic mammogram.

“The radiologist came in and said that she was going to be honest with me, and that it looked like cancer,” said Walker. “She added that while it could be a highly suspicious lesion, we needed to get a biopsy completed.”

The following Sunday, Walker checked her results again and saw the word: carcinoma.

“My heart just dropped. I was like, I have cancer,” she said, recalling the devastating moment. “I instantly thought about death, but a voice came to me and said that you are not going to die. You are going to be fine. I wiped those tears away, and I woke my husband up. We cried together, and he said that he was going to be with me for this fight.”

Walker was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer, fortunately with no spread to her organs. Under the care of Dr. Barbara Craft, professor of medicine and director of the Breast Cancer Treatment and Prevention Program, she began a regimen that included 16 treatments of chemotherapy and 25 rounds of radiation.

“Every day I had chemo, I had to talk myself into coming back because I didn’t want to feel the way I felt,” said Walker. “But, I had to remind myself that I was not going to let cancer beat me. I was going to beat it.”

Routine screening helped Walker and her health care team discover her cancer, highlighting the importance of staying up-to-date with cancer screenings.

Craft said routine screenings are essential, not just for breast cancer, but for all types, including colon, prostate and cervical cancers. “Make sure you have a regular doctor and that you stay up-to-date on your screenings,” she said.

Individuals are encouraged to be attentive to any changes in their bodies. "If you find a breast lump, notice new symptoms or breast changes, or experience unexplained weight loss, don’t wait,” she said. “All cancers are easier to treat the earlier they are caught. Please seek medical care earlier, rather than later.”

Awareness of family medical history is crucial for both men and women. “If you have a family history of breast cancer, or other types of cancer, you should be aware and let your primary care provider or OB-GYN know. They may suggest genetic testing, genetic counseling or starting screenings earlier,” she recommends. “Dense tissue can mask breast cancer on a mammogram, which places a woman at increased risk, so knowing your breast density is important.”

Treatments for breast cancer consist of a variety of approaches. “Surgery plays an important role, and in some cases, can be curative,” she said. “From a medical oncology standpoint, we may use radiation therapy, endocrine therapy/ hormonal therapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapy.”

Craft notes the advantages of seeking care at academic centers like UMMC. “We have access to ongoing cancer clinical trials available to patients,” she adds.

Now cancer free, Walker is adjusting to life after treatment. She is transforming her health care expertise into a new goal aimed at helping others navigate their health journeys. “I’m working on me, and trying to get used to the new Sonia, and being okay with that,” she said.

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