The Importance of Breast Cancer Screenings
- Former TV host Tanji Patton revealed she has a cancerous breast tumor and recently underwent an MRI at MD Anderson, saying her faith, the kindness of her care team, and a determination to “keep moving forward” are helping her face her breast cancer journey.
- She did not share the stage of her cancer diagnosis. However, MRI scans can provide doctors with detailed three-dimensional images that help assess a tumor’s size, shape, and blood supply, which can be valuable in determining the stage of a newly diagnosed cancer.
- The medical community has a consensus that women between 45 and 54 have annual mammograms. However, an independent panel of experts called the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) says that women should start getting mammograms every other year at the age of 40, suggesting that this lowered the age for breast cancer screening could save 19% more lives.
- For women aged 55 and older, the American Cancer Society recommends getting a mammogram every other year. However, women in this age group who want added reassurance can still get annual mammograms.
- Women who have a strong family history of breast cancer, have dense breasts, have a genetic mutation known to increase the risk of breast cancer, such as a BRCA gene mutation, or a medical history, including chest radiation therapy before age 30, are considered at higher risk for breast cancer.
The Good Taste TV founder, who is in her late 60s, took to social media to announce she was diagnosed with a “malignant [cancerous] breast tumor” just a few weeks ago.
Read MorePatton captioned an Instagram post, featuring a photo of her MRI technician who goes by the name Gucci, “A few weeks ago, I learned that I have a malignant breast tumor. Many of you have walked this road, so you know the unbelievable rush of emotions that immediately begin swirling through your mind—and yes, the fear.
“When I found out last week that I would need yet another MRI with contrast and biopsy, and that my MRI was scheduled for 7:00 a.m. today—the Sunday morning after July 4th—I wasn’t thrilled. But I also knew the only way through this process was to keep moving forward.”
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She then shared a touching moment during her MRI appointment when the technician went out of her way to help her listen to her church service during the scan, turning a stressful experience into one filled with comfort.
“Before today, I wasn’t sure I wanted to share this journey publicly. But I was so profoundly moved by Gucci’s [the MRI tech who asked Patton what she’d like to listen to during the MRI] kindness—and by God’s unmistakable presence in that moment—that I felt compelled to tell this story,” Patton said.
“One thing I’m learning as I walk this unexpected road is that there’s a difference between being nice and being kind. Niceness can be a smile or a friendly text. Kindness goes deeper…it touches the heart. I’ve met many incredibly kind people UT MD Anderson Cancer Center so far,” she continued.
“The future is still unfolding, but I do know this—I am not walking it alone thanks to my incredible Savior Jesus Christ. Oh, and yes, I plan to continue working on Goodtaste for the Soul as this will be a blip on the radar screen soon… God’s got my back.”
In a followup post, showing a selfie of Patton holding up a Jesus figurine, she further expressed how her faith in God has helped her on her cancer journey.
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She wrote, “Monday was another @mdandersoncancercenter MD Anderson Cancer Center appointment —my fourth trip in recent weeks up the I-10 corridor to Houston. The first few times, I’ve made that drive with a good bit of apprehension—fear of the unknown, uncertainty about what lay ahead, and all the emotions that come with a cancer diagnosis.
“Yet every single visit, I left with a beautiful assurance that God had been walking beside me. He’s been showing up in unexpected, tender ways that remind me I’m not on this journey alone. Truly, AWE isn’t a big enough word.
Giving Advice To The Woman You Were Before Cancer: Our “Portraits of Resilience”
Understanding Early-Stage Breast Cancer and What Comes Next
It’s unclear what stage Patton’s cancer is, but for anyone diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, that means the tumor is small and hasn’t spread to nearby lymph nodes. According to Dr. Elizabeth Comen, a medical oncologist at NYU Langone Health’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, who previously spoke with SurvivorNet, the first step is usually surgery to remove the cancer. This may involve a lumpectomy, where only the tumor and surrounding tissue are removed, often followed by radiation therapy to reduce the risk of recurrence.
However, treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all.
When it comes to deciding on treatment, factors like age, tumor size, family history, and personal preference may influence whether radiation is needed or if a patient chooses a more aggressive approach, such as a mastectomy—removal of the entire breast.
After surgery, a pathologist examines the tissue under a microscope to help determine the next steps in treatment.
WATCH: Understanding Early Stage Breast Cancer
Diagnostic testing plays a critical role in shaping your care plan. If a mammogram or clinical breast exam reveals something abnormal, your care team may recommend:
- Diagnostic mammogram and breast ultrasound to get a closer look at the breast and nearby lymph nodes
- MRI scans for additional imaging detail
- Biopsy of suspicious areas, including lymph nodes, to confirm cancer
- Tumor marker testing to identify hormone receptors and proteins that influence treatment options
- Additional imaging to check for any signs of metastatic disease
Expert Resources on Breast Cancer Screening
- Black Women May Need To Start Breast Cancer Screening At 42, According To A New Study
- Bi-Annual Mammograms At Age 40 Now Recommended For Most Women, What The New Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines Mean For You
- In the Advanced Breast Cancer Space, A New Screening Recommendation & Drug Approval Provides Hope
- Free Mammograms And Increased Access To Cancer Screenings Focus Of New Bills Promoting Early Detection
- Mammograms Are Still the Best Tool for Detecting Breast Cancer — A Warning About Thermography
- New Guidelines Say Many Women Under 50 Can Skip Mammograms. That May Not Be The Best Advice
- Understanding a New Breast Cancer Diagnosis: An Introduction
Once all this information is gathered, your cancer is staged—based on tumor size, lymph node involvement, and whether it has spread.
Staging helps guide treatment decisions, while hormone receptor and protein marker tests reveal how the cancer behaves and which therapies may be most effective.
Your healthcare team will consider all of these factors—alongside your personal health, values, and goals—to create a treatment plan tailored to you.
Finding a Balance Between Screening and Treating
Depending on several factors, including the stage of your cancer, your overall health, if and how much the cancer has spread, and the specific characteristics (biology) of your tumor, your doctor may suggest any of the following treatment options, or a combination of multiple:
Deciding On Surgery
It’s unclear what Patton’s treatment journey will look like, but often times woman choose to undergo a mastectomy. Dr. Ann Partridge, an oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, says there are a number of factors to weigh when considering a mastectomy, chief among them is whether breast-conserving surgery (or lumpectomy) is possible.
Your doctor will look at the size and features of your tumor as well as your family history in order to make a recommendation.
“When I talk to a woman who comes to me and she has breast cancer, I evaluate what the standard options for treatment for her are, which typically include cutting out the cancer– which is either a lumpectomy if you can get it all with just a little scooping around of the area that’s abnormal or a mastectomy for some women meaning taking the full breast because sometimes these lesions can be very extensive in the breast,” Dr. Partridge explains.
What Happens During a Double Mastectomy?
Meanwhile, a double mastectomy is a procedure in which both breasts are removed to get rid of cancer. The procedure may also be performed as a preventative measure for women who are at a very high risk of developing breast cancer.
The procedure typically only takes a few hours, but may take longer depending on what type of reconstruction a woman has opted to get. Some women decide to have their breasts reconstructed and have implants put in right after the mastectomy, while others don’t have reconstruction at all.
“A double mastectomy typically takes about two hours for the cancer part of the operation, the removing of the tissue,” Dr. Elisa Port, Chief of Breast Surgery at Mount Sinai Health System, previously told SurvivorNet.
“The real length, the total length of the surgery, can often depend on what type of reconstruction [a patient] has.”
Dr. Port notes that these days, most women do opt to have some sort of reconstruction. The length of these surgeries can vary a great deal. When implants are used, the procedure can take two to three hours (so the total surgery time would be around five hours). There is also the option to take one’s own tissue (usually from the belly area) and transfer it into the breast area but this is a much longer procedure.
“When you take tissue from another part of the body and transfer it to fill in the empty space where the breasts are, this is a very long operation,” Dr. Port says. “It can take anywhere from six to 12 hours because it’s really like having a tummy tuck and then transferring the tissue and grafting the tissue, connecting the vessels, so those tissues have blood flow to live in.”
If you’ve had a mastectomy, breast reconstruction is one of the major issues to consider. There are several options available. The reconstruction process can happen at the time of the surgery to remove the breast, or later on in the case of implants. Some women opt for no reconstruction, but decide later on that they want reconstruction to restore a sense of self, or simply get back to the way they used to look.
WATCH: Breast Reconstruction: Regaining Your Sense of Self
“Breast reconstruction is about restoring both a woman’s form and her sense of self,” explains Dr. Andrea Pusic, Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. It’s a deeply personal decision, and today’s surgical options can create breasts that look natural and real.
Immediate reconstruction can produce better results than delayed reconstruction, resulting in fewer surgeries. However, it may require a more extended initial hospitalization and recovery time. This long surgery may also have a higher risk of complications, such as infections, than two separate surgeries.
It may be worth noting that “Delayed reconstruction has fewer complications than immediate reconstruction,” Dr. Terry Myckatyn, a plastic surgeon specializing in breast reconstruction, told SurvivorNet.
When implants are used, the procedure can take two to three hours (so the total surgery time would be around five hours). During reconstruction, one can also take one’s own tissue (usually from the belly area) and transfer it to the breast area.
After breast cancer surgery, women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer may also need chemotherapy, radiation, or hormone therapy.
Dr. Terry Myckatyn, a breast reconstruction specialist at Washington University in St. Louis, emphasizes that the process is collaborative: “It’s a shared decision-making process between the patient and the physician. The patient needs to advocate for herself and make her goals clear. The physician needs to provide clear, logical, evidence-based explanations for their recommendations.”
WATCH: How some women may keep their breast size and shape in cancer surgery.
Plastic surgeons typically reconstruct breasts using either implants or tissue taken from another part of the body—such as the back, abdomen, or inner thigh. This tissue-based approach, known as a flap procedure, often produces breasts that look and feel more natural than implants and can change with your body over time, for example, with weight gain or loss.
However, flap procedures involve more extensive surgery, longer recovery, and additional scarring—both at the breast and at the donor site. They may also weaken muscles where tissue is taken, and not all patients are candidates. Women who smoke or have certain health conditions, such as poorly controlled diabetes, circulation problems, or connective tissue disorders, may not be eligible.
Implant-based reconstruction usually requires fewer surgeries, smaller incisions, and less scarring, allowing for a quicker return to daily life. The trade-off is that implants don’t adapt to body changes, which can make them look less natural over time. Implants also carry risks of leakage or rupture, which would require replacement.
Every surgical option comes with risks. Understanding those risks—and weighing them against your personal goals—is essential before making a decision.
Another aspect of breast cancer surgery involves the possibility of sparing the nipple.
WATCH: Understanding Nipple-Sparing Mastectomies
During a nipple-sparing mastectomy, doctors use special techniques to remove a woman’s breast, leaving the skin and the nipple intact. The idea is to maintain, as close as possible anyway, the natural look of the breast. After a mastectomy, a plastic surgeon will use either an implant or the woman’s own tissue to recreate the breast. When a woman’s own tissue is used, doctors typically take it from fat in the patient’s lower abdomen.
“Nipple-sparing mastectomy, or nipple-preserving mastectomy, differentiates itself from the traditional mastectomy where the nipple was not saved,” Dr. Irene Wapnir, a surgical oncologist and breast surgeon at Stanford University Medical Center, explains to SurvivorNet.
“It’s the ideal procedure for those women who choose to have prophylactic mastectomy who don’t yet have breast cancer, who will choose that route because they have a strong family history of breast cancer, or if they’ve been tested and are a carrier of a mutation, a gene mutation, that predisposes them to a much higher risk of developing breast cancer,” Dr. Wapnir explains.
Turning to Faith During a Cancer Journey
For some people, turning to faith can be a great way to keep spirits high when cancer starts taking an emotional and/or physical toll. New York City Presbyterian Pastor Tom Evans previously spoke with SurvivorNet about the importance of finding ways to cope with the complex web of feelings you may be experiencing after a cancer diagnosis.
“It is important to reach out in a simple prayer to God, even if you have never prayed before, you don’t know what to say, a heartfelt plea, “God, help me, be with me,” Pastor Evans told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview.
“You can reach out to God, and you can reach out to people, your friends and family and say, I can’t do this on my own. I need you.”
“It’s in that willingness to be open and to receive that we can actually find something deeper that we never would encounter without this hardship,” he continued.
All About Breast Cancer Screenings
The medical community has a consensus that women between 45 and 54 have annual mammograms. However, an independent panel of experts called the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is saying that women should start getting mammograms every other year at the age of 40, suggesting that this lowered the age for breast cancer screening could save 19% more lives.
For women aged 55 and older, the American Cancer Society recommends getting a mammogram every other year. However, women in this age group who want added reassurance can still get annual mammograms.
Women who have a strong family history of breast cancer, have dense breasts, have a genetic mutation known to increase the risk of breast cancer, such as a BRCA gene mutation, or a medical history, including chest radiation therapy before age 30, are considered at higher risk for breast cancer.
Screening For Breast Cancer
Experiencing menstruation at an early age (before 12) or having dense breasts can also put you into a high-risk category. If you are at a higher risk for developing breast cancer, you should begin screening earlier.
Breast density is determined through mammograms. However, women with dense breasts are at a higher risk for developing breast cancer because dense breast tissue can mask potential cancer during screening. 3D mammograms, breast ultrasound, breast MRI, and molecular breast imaging are options for women with dense breasts for a more precise screening. It is important to ask your doctor about your breast density and cancer risk.
Although breast cancer can happen to anyone, certain factors can increase a person’s risk of getting the disease. The known risk factors for breast cancer include:
- Older age
- Having a gene mutation such as the BRCA1 or BRCA2
- Added exposure to estrogen
- Having children after the age of 30
- Exposure to radiation early in life
- Family history of the disease
About ten percent of breast cancers are hereditary, says Dr. Ophira Ginsburg, Director of the High-Risk Cancer Program at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center.
“We encourage only those who have a family history to really get [genetic testing],” Dr. Ginsburg previously told SurvivorNet.
“I would say that if you have anyone in your family who was diagnosed with a very rare cancer. Or if you have a strong family history of one or two kinds of cancer, particularly breast and ovarian, but also colon, rectal, uterine, and ovarian cancer, that goes together in another cancer syndrome called the Lynch Syndrome,” Dr. Ginsburg adds.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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