Because of her breast cancer
diagnosis, Stacy Hangar has learned how important it is to get an
annual mammogram.
August 1, 2024, Stacy had a routine mammogram. The mammogram showed
something which needed to be examined further, so Stacy had a
sonogram and biopsy.
Stacy said, “On Wednesday, August 7, 2024, I got the news that the
biopsy was positive for triple negative breast cancer.” Being triple
negative means there were no genetic, estrogen or progesterone
receptors involved. It is also considered a more aggressive form of
breast cancer.
Once Stacy was diagnosed, her primary care physician, Dr. Kenneth
Sagins, set up a consultation for her with an oncologist and a
surgeon. At the consult, the cancer team at Springfield Clinic on
Ninth street in Springfield, IL came up with a plan for Stacy’s
treatment. Stacy said the team told her, “This is what you have, and
this is what we will do for it.”
The treatment plan for Stacy involved six months of chemotherapy
plus a mastectomy and radiation. Stacy said, “I opted for a double
mastectomy since I was not sure where the cancer was located.”
After six weeks of healing from surgery, Stacy said, “I had sixteen
consecutive rounds of radiation in Springfield.” These rounds were
spread out over a period of three weeks and one day.
For the first three months of chemotherapy, Stacy was on one
medicine once a week. Next, she started a different medicine once
every three weeks.
On the first day of chemotherapy, Stacy took Keytruda, which is a
prescription immunotherapy that helps the immune system fight
cancer. She said “Keytruda was then added to my regimen every three
weeks.” Stacy feels Keytruda has been a game changer because it
treats a variety of cancers.
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When asked what advice she would give
people who are diagnosed with breast cancer, Stacy recommends asking
questions, so you are comfortable with what you are going through.
Stacy said, it is a lot to take in because they give you a lot of
information. For her, the cancer team was helpful in going over
everything. She feels it is helpful to know the options and then
make the best decision for yourself.
Stacy’s additions advice is to “Get your annual mammograms.” She
initially thought dense breast tissue was probably all they were
seeing. Stacy had no family history of breast cancer. She said,
“cancer was not on my radar. For years, I have had routine
mammograms.”
Stacy has completed her treatments, and her port will be taken out
October 24, which is something she is excited about. Stacy is also
happy to live in a time when treatments have improved.
[Angela Reiners] |
