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Sunday, October 20, 2013 MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/FDTNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/THEDAILYTIMES

DECODING CANCER

daily-times.com

Breast CAncer

Breast Cancer

Molly Maxwell Special to The Daily Times

San Juan Medical Foundations Development Assistant Latisha Furtado gives Brenda Shepherd, giving coordinator and assistant manager of operations, a touchup on Oct. 8. Shepherds head was shaved Oct. 5 at an event to promote cancer awareness.

Photos by Jon Austria The Daily Times

Ellyn Diamond talks with her daughter, Rory, on Oct. 9 at the familys home in Farmington. The mother-of-two is a breast cancer survivor.

I know I will live through it

San Juan County survivors share their journeys to defeating disease
By Leigh Black Irvin >> lirvin@daily-times.com @irvindailytimes on Twitter

Get Pinked campaign spreads

Even more businesses, organizations expected to donate to the Cathy Lincoln memorial fund
By Molly Maxwell Special to The Daily Times
FARMINGTON >> The San Juan Med-

FARMINGTON >> When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, her life is forever changed. The changes cancer brings, however, are as unique as each individual woman. Two local breast cancer survivors in different stages of life and cancer diagnoses recently shared their different journeys with The Daily Times.
Farmington resident Ellyn Diamonds cancer battle is so new its too early to say how it will shape her life, but theres one thing Diamond is certain about: she will be a survivor. Diamond, a mother of two small children who is still breast-feeding her 18-monthold son, was just 35 years old last October when she discovered a lump in her right breast. I mentioned it several times to my doctor and nurse, but because I was breast-feeding, we all thought it was a temporary tissue change caused by a clogged milk duct, she said. By January, Diamond noticed that the lump was still there, even though she had quit nursing her son. Haunted by ominous feelings, she decided to follow up with her doctor, who ordered a digital mammogram and ultrasound. I cant really explain why I thought something was wrong, but one thing is that I was having really upsetting dreams that someone else was raising my kids, she said. Although Diamond was assured that it was probably nothing, her doctor ordered a biopsy, and in February she received the news that she had breast cancer. She was scheduled for mastectomy surgery a few weeks later. Those few weeks before surgery gave me time to let it all sink in; to gather my thoughts,
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Ellyn Diamond holds her daughter, Rory, as her parents, Martha and Brennan Colyer, help their grandson, Sully Diamond, with his shoes on Oct. 9 at the familys home in Farmington. Diamond was 35 last October when she discovered a lump in her right breast that turned out to be breast cancer

ical Foundations office is a flurry of pink during its busiest month of the year. But despite several events each weekend and more than 20 business donating profits throughout October, the three people heading the office John Oliphant, Latisha Furtado and Brenda Shepherd arent stressed. Instead, theyre exhibiting only excitement and enthusiasm for the Cathy Lincoln Memorial Cancer Funds Get Pinked campaign. We have broadened our scope as far as the Get Pinked event. We have so many events going on, said Oliphant, the foundations executive director. The Cathy Lincoln Memorial Cancer Fund is a branch of the San Juan Medical Foundation, a nonprofit that works with San Juan Regional Medical Center to promote health in the Four Corners. The cancer fund raises money for uninsured and underinsured women who need cancer treatment and other cancer-related procedures. Family and friends began the fund in Lincolns name after the San Juan County nurse lost her battle with breast cancer in 2001. Since its inception, the fund has helped 1,075 women, said Furtado, San Juan Medical Foundations development assistant. Brenda Shepherd is the foundations annual giving coordinator and assistant manager of operations. She knew Lincoln and has been with the fund since its beginning.
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In the spotlight: Cathy Lincoln

Breast cancer survivor Gail Williams poses for a portrait Oct. 8 at the San Juan College East Campus in Aztec. Cathy Lincoln was a nurse at San Juan County Regional Medical Center. She was diagnosed with breast cancer while still in nursing school. The Cathy Lincoln Memorial Cancer Fund was establish in October 2001 in memory of Lincoln, Courtesy of Jamie Lujan who died from breast In 2001, a memorial cancer. fund was established Through- in memory of Cathy Lincoln, a nurse who out her career, she died from breast always felt cancer. special compassion for women battling cancer who were not able to afford treatment, said her daughter, Jamie Lujan. It was hard for her when women were in that position to choose between getting a mammogram and putting food on the table, she said.

BREAST CANCER

New technology makes mammograms less stressful

By Leigh Black Irvin lirvin@daily-times.com @irvindailytimes on Twitter
FARMINGTON >> The face of breast

cancer detection is changing, and because early detection is crucial, health care professionals are hoping that a new type of mammogram will encourage more women to come in for screenings. Since last May, San Juan Regional Medical Center has been offering a relaxation-enhancing option called SensorySuite along with its digital mammograms. The SensorySuite allows women to choose between three relaxing environments that include a fragrant garden, a cascading waterfall and a relaxing beach. A large screen placed within eyesight of

the patient allows her to experience the sights, sounds and smells of these soothing scenes while having her mammogram. A light scent matching the scene, as well as corresponding sounds such as birds chirping or waves lapping, fill the screening room. The goal, said the hospitals Mammography Supervisor Sylvia Coleman, is to make what is normally thought of as an unpleasant experience less stressful. Most women are anxious about mammograms, she said. The whole idea is to take the patients mind away and put them in a more relaxed and calm state. If we can make the experience more pleasant, were hoping more
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Augusta Liddic The Daily Times

San Juan Regional Medical Center has been offering a relaxation-enhancing option called SensorySuite along with its digital mammograms. The machine is pictured on Oct. 11.

|Decoding Cancer |
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THE DAILY TIMES

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Research: The Legacy study

How an 8-year-old could help cure cancer

Scientists hope by studying the habits of adolescent girls they can shed light on why women get breast cancer
By Kirsten Stewart Salt Lake Tribune

Cindy Solomon chuckles while she watches 8-year-old Ella pour a packet of sugar into her own mouth, stimulating her salivary glands to produce a spit sample for testing at Huntsman Cancer Institute. For Ella, the sugar is a rare treat. For her healthconscious mom, its a nutritional sacrifice for science. The Solomons are among 1,000 mother-and-daughter duos from the United States and Canada taking part in a long-term study of environmental, dietary and family links to breast cancer. Funded by the U.S. National Institutes for Health, the Legacy study represents a shift in the focus of cancer research from diagnosis and treatment to prevention. And its one of the few involving girls so young, between ages 6 and 13. Ella has no significant family history of cancer. Her mom heard about the study through a neighbor. We talked about how it

would help scientists better understand cancer, said Cindy, who told Ella that even though shes not at risk, You know people who have had the disease, and if you can help scientists and its fun, why not do it? Traditionally, researchers have focused on older women, asking them to recall details about their lives that may have predisposed them to breast cancer, said Saundra Buys, a principal investigator and co-director of the High Risk Breast Clinic at Huntsman. But more and more younger women are being diagnosed, said Buys. And increasingly risk factors are being traced back to our early years, she said. As we follow these girls along, well hopefully come up with some interesting hypotheses for things we can do in childhood or even in prenatal life to decrease the risk. Legacy an acronym for Lessons in Epidemiology and Genetics of Adult Cancer from Youth is being done at Breast Cancer Registry sites in San Francisco, New York, Philadelphia, To-

Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune

Cindy Solomon laughs as her 8-year-old daughter, Ella Solomon, eats a bag of sugar in order to produce saliva that will be tested during her visit Aug. 29 to the Huntsman Cancer Institutes office in Research Park in Salt Lake City. The Huntsman Cancer Institute is part of the Legacy Girls Study, a national study, comparing girls from breast cancer families to girls from families with no breast cancer. The study hopes to tease out environmental, genetic, dietary and other factors in the development of breast cancer. Ella and her mother have committed to making such visits every six months for five years.
ronto and Salt Lake. The Solomons are among 150 enrolled through Huntsman. Every six months for at least five years they will answer detailed questionnaires about their exercise habits, the food they eat and the cosmetics, hair gels and perfumes they use. Ella will be measured and weighed and will volunteer saliva and urine for testing hormonal and genetic changes. She also agreed to give blood its optional

which didnt seem to bother the wiggly, giggly girl at her last clinic appointment in August. Clinic visits are kept upbeat. Many of the participants have lost close relatives, such as an aunt, grandmother or older sibling, but none of the girls will be tested for the breast cancer genes, BRCA1 or BRCA2. A lot of them had a mom who died of breast cancer and theyre coming in with their dad. Thats why there was a lot of talk up front about how to frame this, said Buys. After Ellas visit, she got to pick a plush toy to take home. The girls also get snacks and gift certificates. Adorning the clinics walls are photos of puppies, kittens and teen heartthrobs like Justin Bieber. My daughter knows what cancer is, but I dont think she associates the study with cancer. They dont talk about cancer or dying. Its more like, What are you girls doing to keep your bodies healthy? said a 32-year-old study participant whose mother died six months ago from cancer. She asked to be kept a nony mous to protect her 10-year-old daughter against prejudice from employers and insurers.

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If you need help

Molly Maxwell Special to The Daily Times

From left to right, John Oliphant, Latisha Furtado and Brenda Shepherd pose for a portrait on Oct. 8. The trio head the San Juan Medical Foundation and have organized the Cathy Lincoln Memorial Cancer Funds annual Get Pinked campaign.

(The fund) has never run out (of money) so weve never had to turn anyone away because the funds were gone, she said. We do our best to help them all. Its not everyone that needs big services. Maybe they need just a mammogram. So thats $250. Or they need a colposcopy, which is another test. And thats $250. Or they need help with cancer treatment, which obviously then, were going to put out a little bit more. Last year, between 21 and 24 businesses and organizations participated in Get Pinked, Oliphant said. This year, there are at least 36, he said. Businesses and organizations participate in Get Pinked in one of two ways: they can hold an event and donate proceeds to the Cathy Lincoln Fund, or they can raise money throughout the month of October by donating a percentage of sales tremely low-dose and harmless. Another reason is fear that something abnormal will be detected during the mammogram. Women who are going to get breast cancer will get it regardless. Putting off the mammogram wont make the cancer go away, she said. We know mammograms save lives, its just a matter of breaking down the barriers that keep women from getting them. Another common reason women put off getting a mammogram is financial. While most insurance plans cover yearly well-woman exams that include mammograms, many women are uninsured or underinsured. Help for these women is available. San Juan Regional Medical Centers Cancer Navigator Fran Robinson said the Cathy Lincoln Memorial Fund offers financial help with detecting and treating womens cancers, and the New Mexico Breast and Cervical Program also offers help to uninsured or underinsured women ages 30 and older. Robinson said the hospitals Cancer Center also offers a class on how to do an effective breast self-exam. We teach MammaCare, which is the only researchbased self-exam method, she said. Women who go through the training feel very confident with doing self-exams, and we offer it free of charge, she said. Robinson said the hospital also hosts a breast cancer support group that meets from noon to 1 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at the Cancer Center. The support group is a

The San Juan Medical Foundations office is located at 710 S. Lake St. in Farmington. Those in need are encouraged to come in and apply. You can also download an application at sanjuanmedicalfoundation.com, or call Latisha Furtado at 505-6096805.
Courtesy of San Juan Medical Foundation

Jamie Lujan, the daughter of Cathy Lincoln, shows her support at a Head Shaving Helpful Heroes Style event on Oct. 5. The event was hosted by the Junior Civitan Club to promote cancer awareness.
or selling special items. Auto Max, for example, will donate $100 from each car sold from Oct. 17 to 26. That promotion alone is expected to raise at least $10,000. Oliphant and his team are also particularly proud of contributions from Dennys. Last year, the restaurant donated about $2,700 from a Get Pinked event. This year, the staff hopes to exceed that. The entire crew is wearing pink T-shirts that they dechance for women to talk about all kinds of issues related to a cancer diagnosis. A lot of women find it helpful to talk to other women who have gone through cancer, Robinson said.

signed, Oliphant said. They have those shirts for sale. Another Get Pinked event is the annual Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon and Style Show. The event is the brainchild of Natalie Riley of Her Him Home. It has been going on for about 15 years. Riley, along with Olita and Mike Degner of Oil and Gas Equipment Corp., are the main sponsors of the event. It started out as a tea party at Something Special, and then took place at Si Seor Mexican Restaurant during lunchtime. It is now at the Courtyard by Marriott, and it is even on the verge of outgrowing that space. Even with no advertising, about 300 people attend the event, which has become so popular that tickets often sell out in three days. The breast cancer surLike Wolske and Coleman, Robinson says the one message she hopes women walk away with is the importance of regular breast cancer screenings. Early detection is the

vivors are the ones that model, Furtado said. We usually have 10 models, and they are spoiled greatly. We do the manicures, and they do their make-up and their hair. ... They tell their story, and model a couple of outfits. More than a fundraiser, Oliphant said the event is a celebration of life. The City of Farmington also supports the cause Farmington Public Library is selling tote bags, and the police department is selling key chains. The Farmington Civic Center will show Pinkalicious, a family-friendly musical about a girl who loves pink just a little bit too much. Molly Maxwell covers the outdoors for The Daily Times. She can be reached at mollykmaxwell@gmail.com. most important message its critical, she said. Leigh Black Irvin covers health for The Daily Times. She can be reached at 505564-4610.

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For more info

women will choose to have mammograms. And thats so important because early detection is key with breast cancer. The SensorySuite is available at the hospitals Outpatient Imaging Center on 2300 E. 30th St., which is where many women in San Juan County go to have a mammogram. It is also available in the hospitals Radiology Department for women who need follow-up screening after a routine mammogram indicates a possible issue. At the same time the hospital acquired the SensorySuite system, it also switched to digital technology for mammograms, which allows technicians and doctors to more accurately detect suspicious breast tissue. We are finding smaller lesions using the digital system, Coleman said. Cat ch i n g su spiciou s breast tissue when its smaller and less-developed means higher survival rates for patients, and often involves less radical treatment. Coleman says that getting women to relax during a mammogram helps them realize that, while uncomfortable, undergoing a mammogram is not actually painful. The nature of the breast is that it, itself, is a lump, and to see through the lump, we have to get the tissue spread out on an even plain, she said. Coleman points out that while yearly mammograms are important, 10 percent of breast cancers will not show

Financial assistance for cancer detection and treatment: Call Glenda Fox, coordinator of the Breast and Cervical Program, at 505-609-6041. Cancer support groups or breast self-exam classes: Contact Cancer Navigator Fran Robinson at 505-6096089. SensorySuite or other radiology questions: Call the San Juan Regional Medical Centers Radiology Department at 505-609-6228.
up on the mammogram, so its important to also have regular breast exams. Dr. Kristy Wolske is a hospital radiologist who interprets the digital images from the mammograms and consults with patients when an abnormality is discovered. Wolske is passionate about educating women about the importance of having yearly mammograms from age 40 and beyond. Theres been some talk about changing that age to 50, but I think that is a money-saving move and is definitely not our recommendation, she said. All the research supports women starting yearly mammograms at age 40 because its very common for women in their 40s to develop breast cancer. I even see breast cancer occurring in women in their 30s and younger, and because cancer in younger women tends to be more aggressive, its very important to catch the cancer early. Wolske said there are several reasons women put off having a mammogram. One is fear of exposure to radiation during the mammogram X-ray, but Wolske said that this exposure is ex-

Sunday, October 20, 2013

THE DAILY TIMES

| Decoding cancer |
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Journeys
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ask questions, to get a plan together. Im so glad they didnt rush me into surgery, she said. Diamond was encouraged to sign up for a breast cancer class, and was put in touch with the San Juan Regional Medical Centers cancer navigator. She also met with the physical therapist who would work with her after her surgery, and even had time to take a wig and makeup class geared for cancer survivors at the Cancer Center. They really prepare you before surgery, and that preparation gives you such a sense of control at a time when you feel so out of control, Diamond said. After surgery, Diamond underwent intensive physical therapy. It was painful, but the physical therapy is so important because adhesions can grow into the arm. The therapy teaches you how to stretch out to prevent adhesions, she said. Because of her dedication to the physical therapy, Diamond did not develop adhesions and was able to proceed to breast reconstruction surgery. Six weeks later, Diamond began chemotherapy. She had four rounds of treatment, three weeks apart. The chemo took place at the Cancer Center and lasted about five hours per treatment. She suffered some nausea and digestive problems as a result of the chemo, her long blonde hair fell out, and she began to experience severe body aches. Three or four days after each chemotherapy treatment, I would experiencing aching, with pain creeping up my neck and going around my jaw. I couldnt touch my skin, and my shoulders, back and chest hurt so badly, she said. It felt like Id been in a horrible car accident and I couldnt even carry my kids up the stairs. Diamond says she received the good news that the type of cancer she had was ER/PR Positive, which is more likely to respond to endocrine therapies. This type of cancer, Diamond says, is rare in young women, and it means that her prospects for surviving the cancer are very good. Shes been told she has only a 5 percent chance of the cancer recurring, although as a precaution she will need to take the estrogen-blocking medication Tamoxifen for the next 10 years. Although Diamond survived her cancer ordeal and is doing well, her marriage did not survive. It ended before her reconstructive surgery. At the time it was so devastating, and my parents really had to step in. In addition to her parents, Diamond says support from the community has helped her get through this devastating time. She is active in the Caliente Community Chorus, and says that as soon as she announced her diagnosis, choir members rushed in with offers to help with tasks like baby-sitting and grocery shopping. Many also signed up to deliver meals to her home. Looking forward to returning to Caliente gave me a goal, and having a goal heals you. I appreciated everyones help and support so much, she said. Diamond, who is a trained orthopedic nurse, was a stay-at-home mother before her diagnosis, but to support herself and her kids she says that she will need to start looking for a nursing job within the next year. Despite the hardships 2013 brought her, Diamond is grateful to have survived the cancer and is optimistic that the future holds happier times for her and her family. This was the worst year of my life, but I know I will live through it. I will make it to another year, she said.

the better, she said. For Williams, the cancer not only served as a catalyst to shift her focus from work to advocating for other cancer survivors, but it helped Gail Williams, breast cancer survivor her identify what, in life, would make her happiest. Always longing to travel Williams is helping orgaworks part-time at San Juan College, reflected on how the nize the foundations annual but continually putting off cancer changed the direc- Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon and Style Show tion of her life. At the time I was di- that will take place Oct. 23. agnosed, I worked at the Funds raised will go to the Bloomfield refinery and my Cathy Lincoln Memorial whole life focus was on the Cancer Fund, which helps uninsured and underinsured job, she said. After her surgery and women in the county obtain treatment, Williams became cancer-related diagnostic intensely involved with the tests and treatment. Williams said the lunSan Juan Medical Foundation and served as president cheon along with many of the group from 1999 to breast cancer fundraising 2001. She also helped found a events focuses on the breast cancer support group unique and powerful way that still meets on the first women deal with illness. Saturday morning of each Women tend to rally month at the San Juan Re- around each other, she said. Men have the attitude that gional Cancer Center. So many studies show you just get through things that those who are involved and dont talk about them. in support groups have much I think thats why women higher survival rates, Wil- live longer we have a difliams said. These groups ferent approach to relationhelp the patient heal sooner ships, and we realize that we and live longer lives. need to get our friends and Williams main message family involved in fighting to newer cancer patients is our cancer. that a cancer diagnosis does Williams said she is gratenot mean death. In fact, she ful that her cancer battle says, most breast cancer pa- helped steer her life in a tients will survive the dis- more positive direction. Cancer is a nasty disease, ease, especially when the and its life-altering. But its cancer is caught early. Most of us who are di- not all bad, because it can agnosed with breast cancer cause you to re-visit who you will live, and that should be are, and can help you change your goals and your path for the focus, she said.

My most important message is that cancer isnt the worst thing that can happen to you.

it off because of work, Williams became a world traveler after beating cancer. Reconfiguring her life so she could work part-time, she has since visited seven continents and 50 countries, and she and her husband plan a new trip or two each year. My most important mes-

sage is that cancer isnt the worst thing that can happen to you. In fact, a lot of good can come out of it, and you can end up with an even better life. Leigh Black Irvin covers health for The Daily Times. She can be reached at 505564-4610.

Gail Williams
Hope is the message given by an older woman who won her battle against breast cancer two decades ago. Gail Williams, 69, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 after finding a lump during a self-exam. Williams underwent a single mastectomy, followed by six months of chemotherapy. Twenty-one years after her diagnosis and successful treatment, Williams, who