October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Cancer Care Cannot Wait

September 24, 2021

Ariel’s Story:  A Breast Cancer Survivor

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, an ideal time to promote breast health for NYCDCC members and your families.

Ariel was a healthy, 38-year-old mother of two when she was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer.  “We were all so surprised because I have no family history of breast cancer or cancer. It really rocked our world.”

At Ariel’s yearly OB/GYN appointment, her doctor did a breast exam. He felt a little lump underneath her armpit and under her breast. The doctor sent her for a mammogram, which showed that her lymph nodes were enlarged. As a precaution, the doctor recommended a follow-up sonogram. “I went back, and thank goodness I did, because they found tiny signs of breast cancer. I jumped into treatment [at Memorial Sloan Kettering] relatively quickly.”

Cancer screenings and preventive care visits are essential to good health and can save lives. Many health professionals fear that delaying screenings due to COVID-19 could cause more harm than good. Ariel advises, “Even if there’s a pandemic, it is still important to prioritize your health and wellbeing. Be proactive. Consult your healthcare professional. A lot of things can be caught early!”

“Cancer care is essential care and screenings and treatments can’t wait,” says Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center’s Physician-in-Chief and Chief Medical Officer, Lisa DeAngelis, MD. “It is crucial for people to keep up with their routine screenings and not put off their care.”

By being proactive about routine cancer screenings, you can detect cancer early, when it’s more easily treated. Talk to your doctor about screening for breast, colorectal, lung, skin, prostate, and cervical cancers.

If you or a loved one is interested in seeking care or guidance from MSK, the MSK Direct team is your reliable expert. Reach an MSK cancer expert in-person at all MSK locations throughout New York and New Jersey or remotely through Remote Care Services.

MSK has put in the strictest safety measures to ensure that patients continue to receive world-class care in the safest environment possible.

For more information, call MSK Direct on the NYCDCC dedicated phone line at (833) 786-3368 or visit www.mskcc.org/nycdcc.

This story was published with permission from Ariel and Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK). Ariel is not an NYCDCC Welfare Fund participant.