Survivors, health professionals highlight early detection, Event educates on breast cancer awareness

By Brittany CarlsonOctober 25, 2013

Awareness
Deidre McCalaster (right), practices performing a "self breast exam" on a model with help from Belvoir Hospital Breast Care Center personnel, Kay Figueroa (left), nurse navigator, and Sheila Walker (center), nurse, at an education booth during the Na... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Detecting breast cancer early can save lives, as survivors, Family members and medical personnel attested to during Fort Belvoir's National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Luncheon Friday at the Fort Belvoir Community Center ballroom.

The USO Warrior and Family Center and Fort Belvoir Community Hospital partnered to host the luncheon, featuring educational booths, personal stories from breast cancer survivors and a tour of the Belvoir Hospital Breast Care Center.

"We're trying to emphasize the importance of early detection and working toward the cure for breast cancer," said Lt. Col. Andreas Lindenberg, Belvoir Hospital, chief of oncology. "We wanted to integrate more with the community and let folks know about the full extent of the services that we have here … and then also to work on the very important point that early detection improves survival."

Since the Breast Care Center opened two years ago, more than 20,000 women have been screened for breast cancer. Of those, 220 discovered breast cancer early, received treatment and are now in remission, he said.

During the luncheon, some of those survivors told their stories, and encouraged other women (and men) to be proactive about their health through monthly self exams and annual mammograms (normally starting at age 40).

"It's really imperative that I stress early detection. It's very close to me," said Florence Lloyd, 72, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last September after she found a mass in her breast.

Thanks to early detection and treatment, Lloyd said she has been able to resume her active lifestyle.

"I'm back doing the things that I enjoyed before: line dancing on Monday, Zumba on Thursday and knitting and crocheting for the homeless on Friday," she said.

Marisa Bejar, 38, a military spouse and mother of two, also discovered a lump in her breast through a self examination, and underwent a double mastectomy to save her life, as well as chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

"Do your monthly checks for lumps and bumps," she said. "You are never too young or too old to have a mammogram. If you notice any changes in your breast, please call the doctor and get it checked out. I'm here today because I went and got my lump looked at."

Allyn Rose, former Miss District of Columbia (2012) and Miss Maryland USA (2011), who lost her mother to breast cancer when she was 16, also volunteered to speak at the luncheon. Rose campaigned for breast cancer awareness during the 2012 Miss America Pageant and plans to undergo a preventive double mastectomy.

"As I go into my surgery, it's a pretty daunting process to go through all of this, but I keep thinking to myself, my biggest fear is not 'Will I have to live the rest of my life without my breasts?' It's making sure that I'm here for all of my daughter's crowning achievements," she said.

Rose hoped her message would inspire other women to be more proactive about their health.

"Unfortunately for my mom, hindsight was 20/20 when it came to early detection and making sure that she was being aware of her risks," Rose said. "All of you have the opportunity now. Know your family history, make sure you're doing your own self exams, you're going in for your yearly mammogram, and just taking all the possible steps you can to ensure that you're being healthy, because early detection is the best way to help prevent cancer."