ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Tampa Bay doctors are urging women to get a mammogram. The National Breast Cancer Foundation says that this year, nearly 300,000 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed.
Sandy Beckert can say with hope and strength that she’s a breast cancer survivor.
“I’m happy to say, I’m doing well. I’m here and I’m thriving with my grandkids," Beckert said.
Beckert was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in the fall of 2017.
"I was very diligent about doing my mammograms. I went and had them done every year," Beckert said.
Beckert recalled the moment she noticed a strange lump in her right breast. She said she was in the shower when she first saw it. She waited a week and it didn't disappear so she made an appointment with her gynecologist. Beckert remembers having an ultrasound and then a biopsy.
"She sent me to a surgeon right away and I had surgery. A right mastectomy," Beckert said
She remembers the uncertainty of her diagnosis with so many questions for her doctor. One still sticks out in her mind.
"I said to him, you mean this is treatable? He said, 'treatable? I’m going to cure this,'" Beckert stated. She went through chemotherapy and radiation.
"It’s the scariest thing ever. Thinking about it now, I could almost lose my breath," Beckert recalled.
Unfortunately, she’s not alone in this fight against cancer. Tampa Bay doctors said they are seeing younger patients diagnosed with breast cancer.
"As a breast radiologist, I do see quite a few breast cancers throughout the day," diagnostic radiologist Michael Hwang said.
Hwang explained more research needs to be done to figure out why younger women are being diagnosed, but doctors can point to two things.
"Evidence is pointing to obesity and smoking as the top two causes," Hwang said.
Doctors urge you to do self-breast exams and get mammograms. This way if diagnosed, you can be strong and hopeful, like Beckert.
"I’m happy and healthy and now I’m honored to say that I’m a survivor," Beckert stated.
The Florida Department of Health offers no-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings. Doctors said this should provide relief and allow everyone to get checked, even if they’re low-income or uninsured.