Sharing Lessons Learned from Breast Cancer

Two years ago this month, Alice Patterson scheduled her annual screening mammogram, just like many other women routinely do every year.  But according to this gregarious single mom and professor at Trevecca Nazarene University, the mammogram turned out to be anything but routine.

“To be frank, it felt more like someone strapped me into the world’s largest rollercoaster with more dips and turns than anything imagined and said ‘Hold on to your hat,’” recalls Patterson with a robust laugh. 

The routine screening mammogram was followed by a second diagnostic mammogram and then ultrasound. Within 48 hours of the follow up tests, Patterson was referred to surgeon Gregory Neal, M.D., at Skyline Medical Center for what she thought was going to be a consultation. “Dr. Neal reviewed the test results and told me he was going to perform a biopsy, “ chuckled Patterson as she recalls the first encounter with one of her doctors who saved her life. “I remember telling him I wasn’t ready,  we were just supposed to talk about some test results. He told me I better hurry and get ready, because it needed to be done now .  .  . and the ride started.”

Patterson said she was much relieved when she returned to Dr. Neal’s office for the biopsy results and learned that the test was negative.  But, Dr. Neal was not satisfied with the results. “He told me he really believed we were dealing with breast cancer and gave me three options,” said Patterson. “He said we could watch it, get a second opinion, or remove the mass.” Patterson opted for the latter, and in mid-November, Dr. Neal performed a lumpectomy. Following the procedure, Patterson said Dr. Neal patted her on the shoulder and said, “Honey, we’ve got a little cancer here to deal with, but you are going to be ok.”

Patterson said there were 8 of 13 lymph nodes that tested positive, making the diagnosis Stage 3 cancer. “That’s when I had an old-fashioned come-apart,” she said. “I had just lost a dear friend the previous summer who had Stage 2 breast cancer, so I felt like I had just been given a death sentence.”

Patterson said she told Dr. Neal she was the single mother of a then 10-year-old daughter and she had to be around to raise her. “I told him I would do whatever it takes to get well,” she said. “And he replied, ‘It’s our job to help you do that.’”

Patterson, the teacher, researcher and life-long learner started doing her homework and learning everything she could about breast cancer, treatment options, side effects, and life expectancy. “For a while I had a real pity party,” said Patterson, who at the time was facing almost 8 months of chemotherapy followed by radiation treatments at The Sarah Cannon Cancer Center. “But you just have to cowboy-up, pull up those big girl pants and face the challenge, so you can move forward.”

She completed the last radiation treatment on her 53rd birthday, a date that will now always be a reminder of her journey, but also a celebration of another year as a survivor. Along the way she has learned some important lessons.

“First, I want other women to know that just getting a mammogram every year is not enough,” cautions the teacher. “I thought that was all I needed to do. Like most women, I thought my breasts were always lumpy and bumpy, and that I would never be able to detect anything different if I did a self-exam. So, I didn’t, and I was wrong.”

Patterson says she now knows that in addition to an annual mammogram, she and every other woman needs to also perform regular self-exams and also have a physical examination by a medical practitioner. “It can make all the difference in early detection,” she said. “And, this lesson for other women is probably the most important I’ve ever taught.”

Dr. Neal agrees wholeheartedly, “While mammography is a fabulous diagnostic tool for the early detection of breast cancer, it is not perfect,” he said. “Women need to be familiar with the body, because they are often the first to notice subtle changes in the breasts. Sometimes a clinical physical exam also picks up changes in breast tissue that mammography misses, particularly when women have dense breast tissue. The best early detection plan is really a three-pronged approach.”

Besides newly found expertise on everything related to breast cancer, Patterson says she has learned some other important lessons.  “I have completely reprioritized my life,” she said. “While I have always been a strong personality, now the fabric of who I am is stronger. I have a much greater appreciation for staying healthy, putting the important things first, and having faith.