The Virtual Health Event on September 20th was a success. We had a lot of great speakers who gave us plenty of information. Lots of it is in the following articles and more will be shared via the NFBPWC social media posts throughout the coming months.

As we finish off the year for this committee, we will focus on working on our page on the NFBPWC website and our project to collaborate more with Houston Medical Center.

How Did Breast Cancer Awareness Month Come to Be? A Look at Breast Cancer in Women

October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month—a time to honor the advocates, survivors, and researchers who have transformed this disease from a silent killer into a call to action. Since 1989, breast cancer deaths have dropped by 44%, saving more than 500,000 lives. The pink ribbon remains a powerful symbol of hope, but awareness only matters when it leads to action.

Early Detection Matters

Knowing your body is the first line of defense. Monthly self-exams help you notice changes such as lumps, soreness, nipple discharge, or skin irregularities.

Women of all ages should check monthly—post- menopausal women should pick the same date each month. If you find something unusual, call your healthcare provider promptly. Remember: 8 out of 10 lumps are not cancer.

Common Signs and Symptoms

• Unexplained changes in breast size or shape
• Dimpling or skin changes
• Swelling or shrinkage on one side
• Inverted nipple or new discharge (especially clear or bloody)
• Noticeable asymmetry or persistent pain More details from the CDC.

Types of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer isn’t just one disease. Some of the most common types include:

• DCIS: early, non-invasive and highly treatable
• IDC & ILC: invasive cancers that spread to nearby tissue
• Triple Negative & Inflammatory: rare but aggressive
•  Metastatic: spreads to bones, liver, lungs, or brain

More details from the American Cancer Society.

Understanding the Stages

• Stage 0–1: Earliest forms, highly treatable, ~99% survival.
• Stage 2–3: Invasive, may spread to lymph nodes; ~87–99% survival.
• Stage 4: Advanced, with spread to other organs. Not curable, but treatable—many now live years.

More details from the American Cancer Society.

Myths and Misconceptions

Don’t let myths cloud your judgment:

• Injuries, bras, or deodorant do not cause breast cancer.
• Breast size doesn’t affect risk.
• Mammograms don’t spread cancer.
• Most women diagnosed have no family history.
• Breast cancer is not contagious.

What About the Boys?

While Breast Cancer Awareness lasts the whole month of October, the week of the 17th – 23rd is dedicated to the disease in men.

How much do men really know about their possibility of breast cancer?

Men should be familiar with how their breasts typically look and feel so they can detect any changes in the tissue.

Risks and Stats

• Male breast cancer represents about 1% of all breast cancers in the U.S.
• The average lifetime risk is 1 in 726.
• In 2024, about 2,800 men were diagnosed, and roughly 530 died.
• Most cases are diagnosed between ages 60–70.
• Family history, BRCA gene mutations, hormone imbalances, obesity, alcohol use, liver disease, testicular conditions, radiation, and smoking can all increase risk.

Survival Rates

• Localized (early stage): ~95%
• Regional (spread to nearby structures/lymph nodes): ~84%
• Distant (spread to other organs): ~20%

Signs and Symptoms

Men should know how their chest typically looks and feels, and report changes such as:

• A lump under or near the nipple or armpit
• Pain or tenderness in the nipple or breast
• Skin dimpling, redness, or puckering
• Nipple discharge, rash, or sores
• An inverted (turned inward) nipple

Because many men delay reporting symptoms, diagnosis often comes late. Early detection makes treatment more effective. Most common breast cancer types in men

• DCIS: early, non-invasive and highly treatable
• IDC: invasive ductal carcinoma, the most common in both men and women

Stages are gauged the same way they are for women. More from the American Cancer Society.

Diagnosing breast cancer:

• Physical exam (self-checks + doctor’s exam)
• Mammogram or ultrasound to detect lumps
• Biopsy to confirm diagnosis
• Other tests (blood markers, scans) may guide treatment decisions.

More from The Mayo Clinic.

Support:

There are two organizations specifically for men:

• Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance shares tools and resources for men
• HIS Breast Cancer Awareness offers educational information and support for men facing the disease.

This is a summary. Click here for entire article.

Personal Stories from Our Members

My Own Breast Cancer Journey

Bonnie O’Leary, BSN, RN, LGBHQC, LNC, Washington State President

My journey into the need for a complete mastectomy was interesting and a little scary. My history: I was in my twenties for my first biopsy since I had cervical cancer removal then! The doctor said I should have a hysterectomy then, but I had not had any children yet, so I declined. I finally had a son, then, within a week after my daughter was born, the doctor insisted on a hysterectomy.

I have had multiple in-person and robot type breast biopsies every six to 12 months over a 40-year period due to dense tissue and my previous cancer. During one regular six-month check-up, I was informed of suspicious areas in both breasts. Both of my breasts had multiple dimpling at all the biopsied areas. Most biopsies had come back as pre-cancer in both breasts, but none had been diagnosed as cancer until the end of 2019.

Surprise: Then COVID happened! I had been working as a pre-surgical quality review nurse for a surgical office in a hospital. I was laid off in February 2020, since all surgeries, except emergencies, were cancelled. Timewise, this worked out because I had to undergo pre-surgical labs and x-rays myself for the suspicious areas, especially in my left breast. I was also referred to cardiology. I knew I had an aortic valve with two leaves inherited from my father and was a little short of breath, but I was not concerned about my heart at that time.

Cardiology Scare: It turned out that I had only a 6% opening in the aortic valve in my heart, so I had to undergo a TAVR procedure (valve replacement) prior to considering breast surgery. If they had not done a thorough pre-surgical exam, I could have died in surgery from a clogged valve! I was monitored for a month at home before I received approval to undergo breast surgery.

Surgery In addition to my own history, my younger sister and two of my cousins on my father’s side, had all undergone bilateral mastectomies a few months before mine. As you read earlier in this article, this is one of the risk factors.

I followed this information in making my final decision. The original plan, prior to the TAVR, was to just have a focused laser to the biopsy area to destroy any remaining cancerous cells post biopsy. This original plan could not work since the new heart valve was in line with the laser beam. After further discussions with my oncologist and my husband and bearing in mind the history of my family’s mastectomies and my history of multiple biopsies, we decided to undergo bilateral removals.

The surgery went well with close cardiology monitoring. A few weeks after the mastectomies, Ihadbilateral implants placed above the chest muscles. Another good thing was that the plastic surgeon was able to save my nipples and sew them back on. My breasts looked normal post-op.

Post-op: I had three surgeries in two months and had a long healing period, including a cardiology monitored exercise program at the hospital for three months. I went back to work, virtually from home, as a COVID lab review nurse in September of 2020.

The bottom line here is do not avoid doing your manual self-checks or skip your annual physician and mammography exams. Even though I did both checks, I could not feel my lumps due to the tissue density, biopsy scarring, and depth of the tumors. You never know! Don’t assume.

The journey was scary – receiving my new heart valve and two breast surgeries in a short period of time, but I kept my faith. It’s been five years now and I am alive due to the new heart valve, and my breasts look fabulous, due to the excellent skill of the surgeons. It is nice that you have choices of size of implants, under or over the chest muscles, and ability to keep your nipples (if the surgeon says it is possible based on the area of the cancer).

My Breast Cancer Journey

Judy Keyt, MBA, BSN, RN, Washington State Secretary Did you know that one out of every eight women in Washington will be diagnosed with breast cancer? Or that everyone will eventually know someone who has it?

The probability is high, and preventive measures are imperative.

My family history: We often think breast cancer is only or mainly genetic. Surprisingly, many cases are not genetically linked.

Seems odd. My mother had breast cancer and a double mastectomy with a year of chemo. I still remember the day she begged me to put her to sleep. My sister is also a breast cancer survivor and recently underwent a double mastectomy with reconstruction. I guided her to take that action which I will explain later. I am a two-time breast cancer survivor with a double mastectomy and reconstruction. None of us are genetically linked.

My journey started at the age of 40. At that time, mammograms were considered unnecessary at that age, which we know now was a big diagnostic mistake. I am grateful that I am a nurse and was working as a hospital administrator at the time. My OB GYN agreed to order a mammogram. The first reading was negative. My buddy in radiology was bored one night and decided to look at it again. He detected cancer. If this hadn’t happened, I would not be here writing this today. I was engaged to be married. My surgeon returned from vacation and performed a lumpectomy, being careful that the incision would not show in my wedding dress. The surgery occurred six days before my wedding. My journey entailed high dose radiation and tamoxifen for 5 years.

RECURRENCE: At year six, the cancer returned with some suspicion in the right breast. I consulted my surgeon and made the decision to reduce the risk of return and undergo a double mastectomy with reconstruction and nine months of high dose chemotherapy, all while I worked full time. I learned there is a high probability of uterine or ovarian cancer, so I elected to also have a full hysterectomy. He said if you were my wife or sister, I would encourage you to do this. That’s all it took. He saved my life

EMOTIONS: My first thought when I heard I had breast cancer was “I don’t want to die.” Fear set in, followed by anger. “It’s not fair!” I struggled with the feeling of not being a female – no breasts, no uterus – how would I describe myself? Today I am a Breast Cancer Supporter and volunteer to guide other women through their journey.

THE IMAGES: “He won’t love me.” “I’m a freak.” “Who would want to be with me?” After many years I’ve found all those thoughts were not true, although there is always someone out there that can’t deal with it.

Hair loss is another image hurdle you may deal with, but you will survive, and your hair will grow back.

MY ADVICE: Don’t ever just “wait and watch and check it later.” BIG Mistake! Don’t take baby steps with a lumpectomy, radiation, tamoxifen… Cancer will most likely return any given time. I absolutely recommend a mastectomy and wish I had made that choice initially, although that is a very difficult choice to make at that time. Radiation destroys the elasticity and texture of your skin for life, and I believe these steps are a band aid. Chemo and the drugs they have today make it more bearable.

I encourage everyone to make the choice, as difficult as it is, and eliminate cancer before it’s too late.

All articles by Bonnie O’Leary (Washington State President) and Judy Keyt (Washington State Secretary) The Health Committee meets on the 4th Monday of the month, unless there are conflicts or holidays. Our next meeting is October 26, 2025.

Susan Oser
Chair