Stopping breast cancer is more than just wearing pink
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the U.S — 1,200 Veterans in VA care are diagnosed each year. Regular breast self-exams, clinical breast exams, and mammograms are vital.
At VA, breast cancer awareness is more than wearing pink ribbons. It’s about empowering individuals, especially Veterans and their caregivers, with the knowledge and resources to take charge of their health, know their risk factors and support those facing the diagnosis from treatment through recovery.
Take Army Veteran Michelle Terwilliger, a nurse practitioner case manager at Durham VA, who was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma on her left breast. After years of caring for fellow Veterans, she was now the one searching for answers and help. “Being in health care and knowing all the things that cancer can involve, your mind jumps to the worst,” she shared.
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States, and over 1,200 Veterans enrolled in VA care are diagnosed with it each year. The good news is that the survival rate increases dramatically with early detection. Stage 1A (localized) breast cancer has a 99% survival rate if detected early, which is why regular breast self-exams, clinical breast exams and mammograms are vital.
Terwilliger’s experience reinforced her belief in VA care. “Everyone has been wonderful from primary care to radiology, like an extension of my family. I don’t know if I would have felt this supported outside the VA health care system.”
See below link for more information
