Breast cancer: not just an old-woman’s disease

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
“We think about breast cancer as something that happens to 50- and 60-year-old women,” said the uniformed woman. “It’s important for young women to know that they could find a lump at any age. I was 26 and I had no family history or risk factors.”

Tech. Sgt. Melissa Moreau, 86th Medical Squadron independent duty medical technician, never expected the diagnosis she received in 2016. Yet, prior to the diagnosis she didn’t take any chances.

“I did regular self-breast exams and caught it early,” Moreau said. “My cancer was stage one, which means the cells hadn’t spread to my lymph nodes yet. Early detection is the key to survival.”

According to Cathy Jo Bailey, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center nurse case manager, breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer in women. Approximately one in eight women born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some point. Fortunately, Bailey explained, as long as the cancer is detected and treated early, most women can survive. Regular mammograms increase chances of recovery.

Moreau had her cancer surgically removed, made a full recovery, and her commander cleared her to return to duty.

After experiencing the life-altering episode, Moreau said she wants every woman to be educated on the risks factors that exist and the preventative measures they can take.

“There are things that lower the risk of developing breast cancer,” Moreau said. “Women who have a baby before the age of 30, don’t smoke, and get their menstrual cycle early are at lower risk.”

Moreau emphasized that falling into a lower risk category is not enough to assure safety. She fell into the lowest risk category possible, yet still developed cancer.

“It’s also very important to know that the younger a woman is when she develops cancer, the faster the cells spread because younger cells proliferate faster,” Moreau said “In six months my cancer could have gone to stage three and I would have never known.”

Even knowing that cancer could develop at any stage, some women still will not perform self-exams or have mammograms.

“It’s not just about you,” Moreau said. “If a woman doesn’t do self-exams, she’s not only hurting herself, she’s hurting her loved ones, especially if she has children. When I was diagnosed my daughter was seven. My family took it a lot harder than I did. The number of people who reached out to me after I got the diagnosis showed me how many people it affected.”

Moreau said that there are two main points she would like people to take away.

“First, don’t ever think you’re too old or too young to get breast cancer. Make sure you’re taking care of your body throughout your life,” Moreau said. “Second, don’t take life for granted. You never know when your life could be changed.”

To schedule mammograms, patients may self-refer at LRMC by calling 06371-590-6331.

For those who want to hear Moreau’s story in person and get more information on breast cancer awareness and the importance of early detection, the Family Medicine Clinic at LRMC invites anyone to join them for an educational presentation on Oct 19.

For more information about breast cancer or on the presentation, contact Ms. Bailey at 06371-9464-5944, or DSN 314-590-5944