Delayed cancer screenings lead to more Valley cases
Sun City West nurse diagnosed, urges screenings amid slowdown
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I promised her I would cure other patients in her honor and I do this for her and don’t want any of my patients to have the experience she had, where I never felt she had someone in her corner. I want my patients to know I am in their corner.”
Brittney Murphy, breast surgical oncologist with Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center at Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center
BY THE NUMBERS
90% of women visited family, friends or shopped after COVID precautions lifted
48% of women visited doctor
Source: Prevent Cancer Foundation Survey, August 2021
A Prevent Cancer Foundation survey conducted in August 2021 showed that 90% of women visited family and friends, dined out and shopped once COVID precautions were lifted. Only 48% of women visited their doctors’ offices, according to the survey.
During October, breast cancer awareness is often top of mind.
But going back to the height of the pandemic in 2020, with the coronavirus took precedence over routine medical care, important screenings were missed.
For one registered labor and delivery nurse in Sun City West, the results of a delayed screening came back with a positive cancer diagnosis.
Shannon Beebe, with Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center, 14502 W. Meeker Blvd. is no stranger to breast cancer. Her mother was diagnosed at age 46. Prior to the pandemic, she managed the recovery room at the hospital, but with surge in COVID patients her shift went to ensuring emergency surgical patients were discharged to make room for COVID patients, alongside her entire team. In addition, she was tackling homeschooling for five children.
The one thing she didn’t check off her list was her annual mammogram, which she received every year since she was 35.
Nipple changes first alerted Beebe during a self-exam, which prompted her to take her order from the year prior and get the mammogram completed. It came back abnormal. After more images the radiologist told her she had a 1.3 cm mass. A biopsy was performed and the news was devastating.
“I asked what are the chances it was cancer and they said 90% to 95%,” she said.
Four weeks after her diagnosis and after meeting with several medical professionals, Beebe underwent a bilateral mastectomy. She said looking back she wants people to know the importance of researching options before they are diagnosed. While she knows many likely won’t, Beebe said making such a big decision people have to make in a very short amount of time and they don’t think it will hit them personally. It was during the decision-making process that Beebe turned on her nurse switch and told herself — as she has told many previous patients — to take it one test at a time and get it done.
“But no matter how crazy and busy life gets, it is so critical to get yearly mammograms. The early prognosis is the best outcome, and you just want to catch it early,” Beebe said.
After taking care of herself, Beebe said she is a better mother, care provider and an employee. Part of that included stepping down from management to reduce stress and changing her eating habits. She lost 43 pounds since June and after her latest lab work Sept. 24, results are trending in the right direction.
“Having a cancer diagnosis, you just have to take it one day at a time and the hardest part is the unknown of how bad it really is. But once you have a plan and answers to questions, then you know what you are up against,” she said.
Brittney Murphy, breast surgical oncologist with Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center at Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center, said her decision years ago to focus on breast cancer was solidified after her mom was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and eventually died two years ago.
“I promised her I would cure other patients in her honor and I do this for her and don’t want any of my patients to have the experience she had, where I never felt she had someone in her corner. I want my patients to know I am in their corner,” she explained.
She said just following the latest research shows one of the most important parts of a diagnosis is knowing the tumor biological subtype, which she said is what the cancer feeds off. Every patient has a personalized treatment depending on their individual biological markers. Two patients can have the same diagnosis and completely different treatment plans based on those factors, according to Murphy.
The vast majority of breast cancer found on screening mammograms are in an early stage and can be easily cured, Murphy said. She emphasizes every women should get a screening mammogram every year starting at age 40. The more educated about the disease and what to look for, the better it can be when women are looking for specific signs, Murphy said. Any new lumps, new nipple changes, inversions or redness and puckering of breasts should be shared with a personal provider.
Murphy said being able to serve patients means everything. Including sharing life-changing experiences with the women, as well as advocating for them and helping them to make the best decisions.
“My patients put trust in me and I am eternally grateful to all of them,” she said.
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women. Breast cancer deaths have decreased in older women and from the years 2013-18 the rate went down by 1%. According to the Society website, these decreases are believed to be the results of finding breast cancer earlier through screenings and increased awareness, as well as better treatment options.
The American Cancer Society’s estimates for breast cancer in the United States for 2021 include about 281,550 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women and about 43,600 women will die from breast cancer.
According to Breast60.org, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer management has been unprecedented. Patients experienced interruption of screening, delays in treatment and alterations of management.
Visit American Cancer Society or Breast360.org to find out more information about breast cancer.
In 2020, Jennifer Jimenez began working for Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA. She began her career as a sports reporter in Peoria and Glendale, covering the very same schools she used to compete at. During this time, she also worked for television news, magazines and sports radio stations.
Community: Jennifer is a member of the Hall of Fame at Peoria High School where she graduated in 2001, alongside her father Joe Hernandez. She serves youth soccer players as a pro-trainer and coach.
Education: Grand Canyon University 2005 B.A. Liberal Arts
Ranom Fact: She has a street named after her in south Peoria “Jennifer Rose Court.”
Hobbies: Country dancing, coaching soccer, teaching private swim lessons and running are things she does for fun.
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