OhioHealth Care Manager Becomes Patient, Urges Women To Get Yearly Mammograms

Becky Jordan has worked at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital for decades.

She's currently a manager of Care Management, helping patients both leaving the hospital and at home.

In her more than thirty years with the system, she never expected to become the patient. 

“This can’t really be happening to me right now,” Jordan recalls thinking when she was told her mammogram was abnormal. 

Back in 2016, a technician detected something during a regularly scheduled mammogram.

An ultrasound and biopsy later, it was confirmed to be Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. 

Jordan had surgery to remove the tumor soon after and began her radiation treatments to kill off any remaining cancer cells. That involved showing up to the hospital to work, then walking across the street to get treatment, switching roles from health care provider to patient. 

“I would come to work, leave for a half hour or so, get my treatment, and come back," said Jordan.

The treatments worked.

Jordan has had normal mammograms ever since. Her experience receiving care instead of giving it gives her new perspective she uses every day.

“We should always assume that everyone that we’re interacting with is in a tough space," said Jordan. "And that’s why that empathy and compassion that we demonstrate as health care providers is so incredibly important.”

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, Jordan has one message she wants women to hear.

“Early detection is 100% the best prevention,” said Jordan.

She urges everyone eligible to get their yearly mammograms.

It's what may have saved her life, and now she's hoping to help save others by spreading awareness.