“I didn’t expect that in a million years. It was just utter shock,” Ewers says, with Dyer telling NBC News, “I was shaking. I was nervous and excited, and I just could not wait to see her.”

Dyer serves in the U.S. Air Force and is stationed seven hours away at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. After learning about her grandma’s cancer returning, Dyer made arrangements with her supervisor to make it for her final appointment. The moment was captured on video as OhioHealth nurses and staff cheered them on.

“Just to know that a young person would care that much and put in that kind of an effort to come and see their grandma, I felt very loved and very special that day,” Ewers told NBC News. 

This is not the first time Ewers has battled breast cancer. She was first diagnosed in 2012, but went into remission after radiation. When she learned the cancer had returned in 2025, she began her second treatment journey. After fighting for the second time, she was not only able to celebrate by ringing the bell, but also experienced an unforgettable surprise from her granddaughter. 

The video was posted on TikTok and gained more than 46,000 views and thousands of heartfelt comments. The emotional moment resonated with viewers, connecting those who have shared similar experiences with loved ones battling cancer. For Dyer, the response was a reminder that even through difficult experiences, people can support each other from all over the world.

“The comments definitely made the video special because you got to see how everyone’s going through something,” Dyer said. “We can just support each other.”

Dr. Halaharvi brings both expertise and empathy to her role as a fellowship-trained, board-certified breast surgeon and a breast cancer survivor herself. Since joining OhioHealth in 2014, she has helped shape the future of cancer care across the system, making a difference for patients and families.

Dr. Halaharvi’s story is one of compassion and connection. She devotes time to sharing knowledge and support, whether talking to a patient and their family, speaking at community events, conducting media interviews or reaching individuals through her educational efforts, podcast and social media outreach. By openly sharing her experiences and expertise, Dr. Halaharvi creates a space where hope and healing can flourish.

“Having experienced both sides of the cancer journey, as a patient and as a surgeon, Dr. Halaharvi represents the best in breast cancer care and has elevated the standards of cancer care to new highs in OhioHealth and Ohio,” said George Simon, MD, Vice President, OhioHealth Cancer Care. “She is well-deserving of this endowed chair recognition that will continue to advance innovation in breast health and cancer care.”

The OhioHealth Foundation’s endowed chairs honor those who demonstrate remarkable leadership and dedication. These appointments, supported by generous community contributions, allow recipients to advance clinical care, research, education, and community engagement in meaningful ways.

“Dr. Halaharvi exemplifies compassionate, patient-centered care,” said Karen Morrison, President, OhioHealth Foundation and OhioHealth Senior Vice President. “In addition to her clinical accomplishments, she is deeply engaged in community education and outreach, supporting breast cancer patients and survivors, to inspire hope and save lives.”

About OhioHealth   

Based in Columbus, Ohio, OhioHealth is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit, charitable, healthcare outreach of the United Methodist Church.

Serving its communities since 1891, OhioHealth is a family of 36,000 associates, physicians and volunteers, and a network of 16 hospitals, three joint-venture hospitals, one managed-affiliate hospital, 200+ ambulatory sites and other health services spanning a 50-county area. For more information, visit ohiohealth.com. 

About The OhioHealth Foundation

Through philanthropic support, OhioHealth can achieve more now and tomorrow - greater breakthroughs, increased accessibility and healthier communities. Gifts to the OhioHealth Foundation help advance OhioHealth’s vision of providing exceptional care for all. Learn more at giving.ohiohealth.com.

Restorative tattooing can help make that possible.

Christina Siegel, RN, BSN, medical tattoo artist and founder of Living Story Tattoo, provides specialized nipple tattoos for OhioHealth patients who have undergone mastectomies and breast reconstruction. 

“When the doctor rebuilds the breast, it's beautiful, but it's lacking the nipple,” Siegel said. “So I come along at the tail end and put the finishing touch on.”

Using shading and color, medical tattoo artists can create the illusion of a three-dimensional nipple and areola. 

Siegel, affectionately known as “The Nipple Fairy,” typically meets with patients for a consultation before scheduling the tattoo appointment to discuss size, placement and color. Because reconstructed skin can be delicate, the process usually takes place over two visits, the initial tattoo and a follow-up appointment eight to 10 weeks later for touch-ups.

“I have to be very respectful of the skin,” Siegel said. “So it’s a two-step process.”

Siegel’s journey into restorative tattooing began in healthcare. A registered nurse since 1996, she spent years working in reconstructive surgery offices with breast cancer patients. During that time, she saw firsthand the impact of breast reconstruction and the limitations of traditional medical tattooing techniques. After specialized tattoo training, she has now spent more than a decade providing almost exclusively nipple tattooing through her business.

Amy Gleason first learned about restorative tattooing after undergoing treatment for breast cancer at OhioHealth. A routine physical and mammogram quickly turned into a long medical journey that included surgery and reconstruction.

“When the mastectomy happens, initially you look a little bit like you've been mauled and the scars are angry and red,” Gleason said. “But then as you go through the expansion process, all of a sudden you kind of feel like you look like a Barbie doll. “

But when she finally saw the completed tattoo for the first time, it was transformative.

“It was life changing,” Gleason said. “When I walk out of the shower and see myself in the mirror, it makes you feel less like a cancer patient and more like yourself again.”

Siegel says witnessing that moment never gets old.

“Its just an amazing privilege to be able to to put the tattoo on and have her just have this transformation right in front of my eyes,” she said.

Patients interested in restorative tattooing can begin with a consultation. OhioHealth providers can provide Christina Siegel’s contact information, or referrals can be made directly through her website.

“After everything you go through, you just want to be done being a patient,” Gleason said. “This made it feel complete.”

Visit Living Story Tattoo’s website or follow Christina on social media at @LivingStoryTattoo.

To learn more about Cancer Survivorship and Supportive Care at OhioHealth, click here.

Do you have remaining cancerous cells? Will your treatment require chemotherapy or radiation? These are questions patients typically wait weeks to hear the answers to. The OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital Cancer Team came together to change that. 

“We created reflex testing,” said Laura Avery MD, general surgeon and cancer liaison physician at Mansfield Hospital. “So now when the pathologist receives the specimen, they can look at the criteria under the supervision of the surgeon and they’re able to send off that test. Then, we’re able to get it much sooner.”

The test Dr. Avery is referring to is the Oncotype DX Test. 

It's a test that determines the likelihood of recurrence in hormone-receptor positive breast cancer and determines a patient's course of treatment after surgery. 

Historically, it takes weeks for patients to get their results, having to meet with an oncologist before the test is even submitted.

Now, a pathologist sends off the test before that first follow-up appointment and patients are getting a result an average of 11 days sooner. 

“That was just a period of time that created a lot of anxiety for that patient,” said Dr. Avery. “And that was our concern. We wanted to make sure they were getting to their next step in treatment in a timely manner, whether that be radiation therapy, or getting to chemotherapy.”

For patients like Molly McCue, knowing what the rest of your cancer treatment looks like meant everything. 

“My local oncologist here at OhioHealth was quick to call me to give me the good news, that my score was low,” said McCue. “It was a five, and I did not need the chemotherapy. So, I was grateful for that.”

McCue was diagnosed with Stage One Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in her right breast back in 2021. She waited two weeks to hear the results of her Oncotype DX Test, but she's comforted knowing breast cancer patients at Mansfield Hospital moving forward will know sooner. 

“The unknown is the worst,” said McCue. “The sooner you can have a path of treatment and that information needed to know that, the better.”

Another way Mansfield Hospital is improving the experience of the patient, while continuing to provide that same expert care.

Get ready to come together, lift each other up, and rise above the challenge of cancer at "We Rise Together," an inspiring event designed to empower and educate. Join us on Saturday, November 15, from 4:00 PM to 8:30 p.m. at the Mill Run Event Center at 3861 Park Mill Run Drive in Hilliard.

This unique event, sponsored by Deepa Halaharvi, DO’s "The Breast Cancer Podcast," will bring together a community of survivors, healthcare professionals, and advocates for an evening dedicated to education, empowerment, and elegance. Attendees can expect powerful talks from leading experts in breast health and wellness, engaging panel discussions, and a moving survivor fashion show celebrating courage and resilience:

• Expert Panels: Gain insights from experts in breast cancer care, including advancements in treatment and wellness strategies beyond cancer.
• Interactive Q&A Sessions: Participate in "Speed Dating with the Experts" for personalized engagement with healthcare professionals.
• Survivor Fashion Show: Celebrate survivorship with a runway show featuring survivors who inspire hope and courage.

Dr. Deepa Halaharvi, breast surgeon with OhioHealth, and Dr. Shabana Dewani, medical oncologist with Columbus Oncology & Hematology, who are leading this impactful survivorship event, emphasize the importance of community in overcoming the challenges faced by cancer. "When the passion for science and the love for the community come together, it creates a powerful force for change," said Dr. Halaharvi. "We are here to support, inspire, and uplift each other."

"We Rise Together" is more than an event; it's a movement that unites us all in the fight against breast cancer.

Join us in celebrating survivorship, sharing knowledge, and building connections that inspire hope. Together, we will learn, celebrate, and make a positive impact on our community.

For more information and to secure your spot, visit the Eventbrite page here.

 

CBS News chief medical correspondent, Jon LaPook, MD, says AI is starting to change the way mammograms are read and interpreted.

“There are two different uses of AI,” he said. “One is … you have a mammogram done, and the AI, even before the radiologist sees it, can put a little box around areas that are potentially dangerous. … Normal breast tissue looks white, and a calcification that may be indicative of breast cancer is also white. So it’s like looking for a snowball on a snow drift. Sometimes human eyes are not as good as the AI at finding it.”

Researchers are also studying whether AI can help predict who might develop breast cancer in the future. By looking at hundreds of thousands of mammograms, the technology could one day show which women are at higher risk years before cancer appears.

Deepa Halaharvi, DO, a breast surgeon at OhioHealth and a breast cancer survivor, agreed the technology is promising. She said that standard mammograms miss about 20 percent of cancers.


“What AI can do is improve detection,” Dr. Halaharvi told 10TV News anchor Tracy Townsend. “It can also provide a personalized risk assessment for women who are not yet screening age to get mammograms earlier than age 40 … Dense breast is white and cancer is white, and sometimes it's really difficult to find cancer in those dense breasted women.”

Still, she cautioned that AI should not be seen as a replacement for medical expertise. 

“It can be used in conjunction with a specialist, who then will help the person in getting personalized risk assessment, looking at their breast cancer risk factors and provide their personalized screening program for that person.”

Dr. Halaharvi also stressed the importance of regular mammograms. 

“An average-risk woman, who does not have family history of breast cancer, should start their mammography at age 40,” she said. “For those women who are considered high risk for breast cancer, meaning their family history of breast cancer, they have a genetic mutation, they need to start 10 years younger than the family member who was diagnosed with breast cancer.”

Technology is also helping streamline the patient experience once screening begins. At OhioHealth, patients receive normal results through the online portal, MyChart. If anything abnormal is found, patients get a call from a breast health nurse navigator to schedule additional imaging or a biopsy. The goal, Dr. Halaharvi said, is to provide clarity and support as quickly as possible.


“We prepare patients when they come in to see us,” she said. “You will get a message on MyChart, but I'll be calling you as soon as I can.”

And her message during Breast Cancer Awareness Month is simple.

“Get screened. This can save your life. Screening mammography decreases mortality by about 30 percent.”

To learn more about OhioHealth Cancer Care, click here.

Her memoir, “Their Legacy, Their Light She Carries” is not a medical book, but a love letter to her parents. And to the values they instilled that carried her from caregiver to physician.

“My mom passed away last October. It was really tough to process the grief,” Dr. Halaharvi said. “My dad passed away 10 years prior to that. I wanted to write stories about my parents for my kids, a place where they could go and see where their family came from. But then as I was writing, it became therapeutic.”

Born in India, Dr. Halaharvi immigrated to the U.S. at age 16 with her family. Her parents, a nurse and an electrical engineer, raised their children on a foundation of hard work and service. “Whatever you do, do it well,” her father always told her. That stayed with her through years of caring for him after he was paralyzed by a stroke, while her mother juggled caregiving, work and her own declining health.

“My mom took care of my dad for 16 years. But like so many women, she didn’t take care of herself,” Dr. Halaharvi said. “And it caught up with her.”

What started as a collection of memories turned into a memoir about carrying forward the light passed down from those we’ve loved and lost. “It’s about what we do between the time we’re born and the time we die,” she said. “Writing it all out means that they're still living through this.”

The book is also a tribute to immigrant families, especially women, who navigate new systems while shaping the futures of their children. And it’s a resource, too, for medical professionals, caregivers and patients trying to make sense of the intersection between illness, family and healing.

To further honor her parents, Dr. Halaharvi has launched a nonprofit in their names, Ish and Savi, which will provide educational scholarships for underserved communities. She also hosts “The Breast Cancer Podcast,” downloaded in over 130 countries, and is organizing an empowerment event in November called “She Rise, We Rise Together,” for an evening of celebration and a survivor-led fashion show.

All of it, she says, is part of the same purpose: “to educate, to empower and to serve.”

“Writing doesn’t come naturally to most doctors,” she said. “I had to block time at 4:30 a.m., send chapters to my editor, rewrite. But now that it’s done, I look at the book and think: this is what it means to carry the light. We all carry that light, whether it's from your parents, from your mentors, from your experiences. We can use that light to help others and leave a legacy.”

“Their Legacy, Their Light She Carries: A Breast Surgeon’s Mission to Serve and Inspire Hope” is available for purchase on Amazon.com.

Secret Lives is an ongoing series that shares the unusual past careers and unique hobbies of OhioHealth associates, physicians and volunteers.

I’ve been exposed to the cancer care processes and have been working with cancer patients for more than 25 years — but I was still shocked to be diagnosed with breast cancer last summer. After my annual screening mammogram, I was called back for additional images. This had happened before, so it wasn’t surprising. After my diagnostic mammogram, I knew this time was different. From the first day of my journey through now, I have encountered the most competent and comforting caregivers and it makes me proud to work within the oncology services here.

I was always so used to being in total control of my world. Being a patient was a big change for me and led to me learning more about myself throughout this process.

I never knew I could be so persistent and patient. Going through additional testing, two surgeries, an infection, radiation therapy and hormone therapy was all difficult. Just as I started to get my footing with one treatment, the start of the next treatment would pull them out from under me again. It felt like a reoccurring cycle where I couldn’t make progress. Persistence and commitment to my care required a lot of patience.

I did not know that I could trust so many others to guide me through my journey. I have always been a scientifically minded person, looking for data and answers to guide me through life. My family always teases that I live in a black and white world and if there is any gray, I change it to black or white. I could not do this during my journey. Researching things on my own felt very heavy and I was already carrying enough. I had to rely on my providers and medical experts to be my “science”. I trusted in their expertise to guide me through my care plan. 

I learned I could be vulnerable which was really hard for me. I tend to be very private about personal things, but in this, I found that the more I shared about how I was feeling physically and emotionally, the more my care could center around that. This is how I was ale to participate in my own care. Sharing my needs helped others make referrals and adjust my care to what I needed. This included acupuncture, massage, counseling, bra fitting and physical therapy.

Through oncology counseling, I have learned a lot about my self-talk and self-image. My counselor was able to help me think differently about my situation and identify where my self-talk and self-image could be altered. Her message was always to be kind to myself and to celebrate the small wins. The tools she offered have helped with the anxiety I feel when talking about my journey and at medical appointments.

Here’s my biggest learning: I learned that my professional experience as an oncology physical therapist did not mean I should be my own. After weeks of doing my own “therapy” and working through some shoulder and chest tightness, I realized I was not getting very far. Admitting that I needed help from my own profession was hard. However, one of the best decisions in my care was switching to taking care of myself instead of creating my own therapy plan. This allowed me to focus on my recovery in a different way. My therapist was also able to identify other deficits that needed to be addressed outside of the original concern I had with my shoulder.

I learned how to celebrate being a survivor. After months of surgeries and radiation therapy, my family and friends started sending me “survivor” shirts and signs. But at the time, I was still not feeling great and not feeling like a survivor. I am cancer free. I am a survivor. But I still have medications to take, a skincare regimen to complete and exercises to do. It still felt like a lot. Nine months since diagnosis and I am starting to feel like myself again. To celebrate, I have decided to add a breast cancer awareness ribbon to a tattoo I already have. While working on the design, I decided to add “Survivor” to the ribbon. This is my “Keep Making Plans” moment.

To learn more about breast cancer care at OhioHealth, click here. 

Just months into her career as a breast cancer surgeon, Deepa Halaharvi, DO faced a diagnosis she never expected: stage 1 breast cancer. Prompted by a dream of her late father urging her to get a mammogram, she decided to go get checked. Dr. Halaharvi’s personal medical experience forever changed the way she approaches patient care.

Today, she’s part of a team at OhioHealth that includes three other breast cancer survivors: Tara Ernske-Squire, Katie Foster and Pauline Russ. All of these women have turned their own battles with the disease into a life-long commitment to supporting others through their diagnosis. They recently spoke with reporter Sophia Veneziano for Columbus CEO magazine on what it’s like to work with breast cancer patients after experiencing the same disease. Some excerpts of their stories are below.

From Patient to Caregiver

Katie Foster was pregnant with her second child and working in another department at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center when she was diagnosed at age 31. She quickly connected with Dr. Halaharvi and underwent a bilateral mastectomy just two weeks later, followed by chemotherapy soon after her son was born.

Now, Foster works alongside Dr. Halaharvi as a physician assistant at OhioHealth Physician Group Breast Surgery – the same practice that once cared for her.

"I'm so very grateful for Dr. Halaharvi and everything she’s done for me,” says Foster. “Now I get to work alongside her every day.”

Dr. Halaharvi says her own journey allows her to care for others in deeper and more meaningful ways.

"I always say, 'Who’s better to get breast cancer than a breast cancer surgeon?'” she says.

Dr. Halaharvi wanted to be a doctor since she was five years old. Her personal battle with breast cancer so early into her career did not slow her down at all. Instead, it has given her a unique perspective that strengthens the trust between her and her patients. Her story is one of resilience and a deep commitment to making a difference in the lives of those she treats.

Leadership Through Lived Experience

Pauline Russ and Tara Ernske-Squire also bring powerful survivor stories to their leadership roles at OhioHealth. Russ, now the breast health director in OhioHealth’s oncology service line, was diagnosed while pregnant in her early 30s and underwent chemotherapy during her pregnancy.

Today, she often steps in to personally connect and share her story with patients who are navigating similar diagnoses.

“You get more and more comfortable into your survivorship,” says Russ. “Now I look for opportunities to help people more directly beyond my administrative role.” Russ said her own OB/GYN occasionally connects her with pregnant women who have been recently diagnosed so she can share her story and give them hope that they can get through their diagnosis healthy – and with a healthy baby, too.

Ernske-Squire, a journalist-turned nurse, changed careers after her breast cancer diagnosis 10 years ago. She now serves as the practice administrator for OhioHealth Physician Group Breast Surgery. It was her diagnosis that prompted her to make this life-changing switch.

"I feel like the times that give me the most joy are when I’m able to share my story,” Ernske-Squire remarks. “Their facial expressions change. It just completely makes it worth it for me.”

Finding Strength in Sharing Foster, too, focuses on offering reassurance to young patients. After using cold cap therapy to minimize hair loss during chemotherapy, she now advocates for making the treatment more widely accessible and talked about.

“You can just see their faces light up and they’re like, ‘Well, you have hair. Your baby is fine, right? You’re so young, but you’re ok,’” Foster says. “I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’m fine. Everything’s good,’ and you can just see it go across their faces: the worry and fear to almost hope.”

Together, these four women offer more than clinical care, they bring compassion, understanding, and a powerful message of survivorship to every patient they meet.

To read the full article, be sure to pick up the April issue of Columbus CEO magazine. To learn more about breast cancer care and screening options at OhioHealth, click here.

During her cancer treatment at OhioHealth, which included a double mastectomy, radiation and ongoing hormone therapy, Laurie never stopped moving. Running and strength training became her way to reclaim control. As a longtime pacer for Fleet Feet Columbus Marathoners in Training (MIT) program and the M3S Sports Cap City & Fleet Feet Pace Team Powered by On, she was surrounded by friends from the running community who were there for her when she needed it most. “They showed up for me in ways I never expected. I never felt like I was alone in this community at all,” Laurie said.

Now in remission, Laurie is returning to the Cap City race with a renewed sense of purpose. “Crossing that finish line is a statement. I can still do this, and my life didn’t have to change because of a diagnosis,” she said.

Early detection made all the difference for Laurie. A routine screening caught her cancer early, allowing her to start treatment quickly and continue doing what she loves. But she knows not everyone has that same access to care.

A portion of each race registration for the OhioHealth Capital City Half & Quarter Marathon will go to support the OhioHealth Foundation. The Foundation will use those dollars to provide funding for OhioHealth’s Mobile Mammography Program, which brings vital breast cancer screenings directly to women in their communities. This service ensures that women who might otherwise face barriers to care can access life-saving screenings.

“There are so many women who are afraid to get screened, afraid to hear what I heard,” Laurie said. “The more we can make screenings accessible, the better. If we can bring it to them and make it easier, it will go a long way in catching cancer earlier.”

For nearly a decade, the OhioHealth Mobile Mammography Program has been offering mammograms to women across the state, covering more than 50 counties with three mobile units. Traveling to care sites, school grounds, community fairs and employer locations, in fiscal year 2024, the units provided more than 4,400 mammograms.

“Having a dedicated fund for mobile mammography means we can advance OhioHealth’s commitment toward bringing vital breast health screenings to women who may be unable to access them due to financial limitations or barriers to transportation”, said Karen Morrison, president, OhioHealth Foundation and senior vice president, OhioHealth. “The OhioHealth Foundation is grateful to be the benefitting charity of this incredible race.”

For Laurie, race day serves as a reminder of the determination that helped her through her journey, and it’s a celebration of everyone striving toward their own finish lines, both on and off the course. “When I’m pacing, I always tell runners, ‘You’ve been with me too long, go finish strong!’” she said. “Watching them push through, cross that line and realize what they’ve achieved is the best feeling in the world.”

To support OhioHealth's Mobile Mammography Program, click here.
To register for the OhioHealth Capital City Half & Quarter Marathon, click here. 

"What we've seen recently in the media are some headlines that sound kind of scary, saying there's a 40 percent increased risk for breast cancer with the hormonal IUD. This is in women who are premenopausal, so 49 and under, and they already have a really low risk," Dr. Bucher said. "That 40 percent increase is really just about 14 extra cases per 10,000 people."

Many other daily activities carry similar or higher risks, and the overall health benefits of hormonal contraception, like IUDs, generally outweigh the minimal risks. 

Hormonal IUDs, a type of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), can provide reliable birth control for women for anywhere from three to eight years, depending on the device. These small plastic devices inserted into the uterus release hormones that help prevent pregnancy. While they are highly effective, Dr. Bucher encourages individuals to have informed discussions with their healthcare provider to determine the best choice for their needs.

"There's a whole host of contraceptive options, and there's definitely one right for everyone out there," she said.

To schedule an appointment or to learn more, click here.

“I could feel a lump in my left breast,” Cousins told 10TV anchor Tracy Townsend. “I thought it was all just related to breastfeeding.” 

But Dr. Tucker, who often addresses lactation-related complications, noticed something unusual. 

“Usually, when you have something that's like an area of swelling, what someone might refer to as a clog, it’s just in one quadrant,” Dr. Tucker said. Knowing something wasn’t quite right, she recommended further testing and Cousins was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. 

The diagnosis hit hard, and Cousins’ biggest worry was how it would impact her children. 

“I remember the only question my kids asked me was, ‘Are you going to die?’ Of course, I told them no,” she said. 

Throughout her treatment, she focused on staying strong for her family. While the journey meant she could no longer breastfeed Cooper—a decision that was tough on Cousins—she found gratitude amid the struggle.

“It was stressful that I had to abruptly stop nursing my infant. That really stressed me out, that really hurt. It was very emotional, but now I’m just thankful,” she said. 

Now cancer-free, Cousins wants her story to encourage others to stay vigilant about breast health, even if breastfeeding. Dr. Tucker also emphasizes that lactating individuals shouldn’t delay screenings due to concerns about breastfeeding. 

“One thing people should know is that they don’t have to pump and dump following mammography, ultrasound, MRI or CT scan,” she said.

Today, Cousins and Dr. Tucker share a friendship that goes beyond the patient-provider relationship. Cousins hopes her experience can remind others to listen to their bodies, get checked out and not be afraid to ask questions.

OhioHealth recommends women follow the current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines below. Mammography has proven to save lives through early detection. 

• Screening mammogram beginning at age 40 for all women of average risk 
• An annual clinical breast exam by a doctor 
• Monthly breast self-awareness 
• Specific mammogram screening guidelines can be discussed with your OhioHealth physician. 
• Women should talk to their doctors about the screening that is right for their individual needs. 
• Women at high risk for breast cancer may need more frequent or earlier mammogram screening. 

To schedule an appointment or to learn more, click here. 

Stacey received the life-altering call from her surgeon at OhioHealth, Michael Sarap, MD, while working as a bus aide. 

“I waited until the last kid got off…then I sat there and cried,” Stacey told The Daily Jeffersonian.

Her diagnosis meant beginning chemotherapy immediately, a challenging treatment process Dr. Sarap explained was essential to manage Stacey’s aggressive cancer type. She was grateful for her quick access to the John W. and Edna McManus Shepard Cancer Center, located just 20 minutes from home.

For Dr. Sarap, Southeastern Medical Center’s local approach to cancer care is essential for patients’ well-being.

“You don’t want to be traveling an hour and a half when you’re that sick…local care lets patients maintain family, work, and life schedules,” he said. Last year alone, the center provided over 10,000 patient visits, with nurse manager Lori Cady noting the facility’s steady growth in serving Guernsey County and beyond.

And for Stacey, being able to stay near her family and her farm helped lighten her emotional and financial burdens. 

“I couldn’t have done it traveling to Columbus or Cleveland…we couldn’t have done it financially, either,” she said.

In January, Stacey began chemotherapy and quickly felt the effects. The treatment was grueling, and there were moments she considered stopping. 

“I just thought, ‘this isn’t worth it,’” she said. With encouragement from her husband and the compassionate support of her medical team, Stacey pushed on. “The nurses were incredible. Every day, they’d ask about my mental health, side effects, and even helped me shave my head. They genuinely cared.”

After months of challenging treatments, Stacey faced surgery in May. Dr. Sarap delivered her results personally on her 53rd birthday.

“He called me from his vacation. He said, ‘Stacey, I had to make this phone call. You’re cancer-free,’” she said. 

During her illness, Stacey’s dog, Rip, seemed to sense her struggle, often keeping a distance. But on that day, he was different—his energy lifted, and he began acting more like his old self.

“My son looked at me and said, ‘Rip knew you were cancer-free, Mom. He was telling you were cancer-free.’ It was my birthday gift,” Stacey said.

Dr. Sarap attributes Stacey’s successful treatment to the commitment and teamwork of the Southeastern Med staff. With a close-knit team, the center holds monthly meetings with surgeons, social workers and genetics counselors to ensure comprehensive patient care.

“Cancer patients can’t wait a week when their life hangs in the balance. Here, I can get them seen within a day or two,” Dr. Sarap said.

At a recent event, Southeastern Med celebrated its $12 million cancer center, funded by $5 million in local donations, including major gifts from the William Baker and Art Shepard families. Equipped with advanced technology like the Varian linear accelerator and nine infusion pods, the center provides comprehensive cancer treatments and support services.

“It’s amazing access for a town that’s so small,” he said, noting that Southeastern Med has been accredited by the National Commission on Cancer for 35 years. “We follow the same national standards as any hospital in America. That means the care you get here is the same care you get in Columbus.” 

For those like Stacey, this access can be life-changing.

“It’s very rewarding,” Dr. Sarap said. “Twenty years ago, a patient with a triple negative breast cancer would not have a chance. But now…it’s a success story. It’s teamwork. Everybody played a role in it.”

To learn more about cancer services at OhioHealth Southeastern Medical Center, click here.

Her doctor had just retired, so she was scheduled with a new one. Plus, there were closer providers for her to choose from. 

But she did end up going. And it may have saved her life.

“He started out with his normal breast exam and felt something in my left breast almost immediately,” said Metzger.

Andre Bown, DO, a gynecologist at both OhioHealth Marion General Hospital and Morrow County Hospital, felt something he thought wasn't right. 

A mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy later, it was confirmed to be Stage 1A Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, an early-stage breast cancer.

“I can’t help but say I’m shocked he found it because she said not everybody would," said Metzger. "She knew what to feel for from what he had written and from what the notes had said, but it was just so tiny. Barely a BB at that.”

Dr. Bown says he was simply doing his job. 

“I just happened to feel something on her and that led to an early diagnosis which is ultimately the goal," said Dr. Bown.

But that early diagnosis led to Metzger's eventual recovery.

She celebrated one year of being cancer-free this summer, a milestone she may not have gotten to if it weren't for that breast exam.

“Poster child forever- do your well woman exams, do your self exams… if you feel anything, even if it feels like a large piece of dust, you’ve got to have it looked at,” said Metzger.

For those who may feel uncomfortable getting a breast exam, Dr. Bown has a message.

“If you don’t do the appropriate screening, things can get missed,” said Dr. Bown. “I would say to the patient, people don’t typically like this exam, but it’s an exam for a reason.”

As for Metzger, she still sees oncologists as she continues her recovery after cancer. 

But she'll continue being diligent about her wellness checks, and says she'll be with Dr. Bown for the long-run.

“I will forever go,” said Metzger. “I don't know where I'll live but I will forever see Dr. Bown."

It is called ‘delayed’ sentinel lymph node biopsy, and is only possible to perform with Magtrace^®, the world’s first non-radioactive, dual-tracer breast cancer staging technology. The technique gives physicians the opportunity to delay the surgery often used to assess the spread of breast cancer until they know it is needed, and spare surgery altogether for those who do not. 

For patients with early-stage cancer - often referred to as DCIS or Stage 0 - the likelihood of their cancer having spread to other parts of the body can be low. Globally-recognized clinical studies, such as the 2023 SentiNOT study, have shown that up to 80% of these patients, will not have an invasive cancer, so there would be no benefit to performing axillary surgery.

The previous standard of treatment, which is still widely used across the U.S., involves removing not only the area of DCIS, but also underarm lymph nodes for further analysis, as a precautionary measure. The downsides to receiving this additional surgery can be significant, with common side effects including lymphedema, a condition which can cause long-term swelling and pain.

“Cancer patients often go through so much stress in terms of surgeries, appointments and the general unknown,” said Deepa Halaharvi, DO, OhioHealth breast and cancer surgeon. “Anytime we can ease their journey in any way and potentially avoid a surgery is going to be a benefit to the patient and help them avoid that recovery and side effects, when possible.

The lymph node biopsy that Magtrace^® offers is performed by injecting Magtrace^® into the breast at the time of mastectomy to remove the DCIS. The tracer, made from iron oxide particles, then migrates to the underarm, where it will remain for as long as the surgeon needs, marking the nodes most likely to contain cancer if it has spread.

The DCIS is then analysed by pathology for any presence of an invasive component. If it is found to be invasive, the lymph nodes will still be marked with the Magtrace^® meaning the patient can be scheduled to return for underarm surgery to confirm if the cancer requires upstaging. However, for roughly 80% of patients’ pathology will show that no further surgery is needed.

Sentimag® Available for Surgical Guidance

If additional surgery is needed, however, OhioHealth patients now have access to the latest advancements in breast cancer surgical guidance, thanks to the introduction of the new Sentimag® localization platform.

Used to accurately identify tumors and assess the spread of cancer beyond the breast, the new Sentimag® allows surgeons to more easily identify and remove cancerous tissue. 

OhioHealth is among the first in the U.S. to utilize this new system and the enhanced precision it brings.  This technology is currently available to patients at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, OhioHealth Grant Medical Center and OhioHealth Dublin Methodist Hospital.

“This technology is beneficial to both the patient and us as surgeons,” said Dr. Halaharvi.  “It allows us to more accurately identify tumors and how the cancer has spread, while the slimmer probe allows us to make a smaller incision, creating a better long-term cosmetic outcome for the patient.”

Using the new Sentimag® probe, OhioHealth physicians can detect the magnetic signal emitted by the Magtrace, through visual guidance and audio feedback, which guides them towards the target to excise the suspicious lymph nodes for further analysis. 

Notes for Reporters

• In December 2022, Magtrace® was FDA Approved for use in all breast cancer staging procedures.
• The SentiNOT (2023) study demonstrates the efficacy of ‘delayed’ sentinel lymph node biopsy, with 78.7% of the 250+ patients featured avoiding axillary surgery.
• The 'SaveOurNodes’ campaign aims to increase awareness of this technique, and has been endorsed by patient organizations including Breast360 and the Breast Advocate App.
• The new Sentimag represents the next generation of breast localization, building on the strengths of the original Sentimag. Like its predecessor, the new platform pairs with the Magseed® marker (FDA approved in 2017) and the Magtrace® lymphatic tracer (FDA approved in 2018) to improve surgical outcomes and the patient experience. 
• Magtrace® has been tested and proven across more than 10,000 patients in 100+ published clinical studies. 
• The Sentimag®, Magseed® and Magtrace® technologies are manufactured by Endomag, now part of Hologic.  

 About OhioHealth   

Based in Columbus, Ohio, OhioHealth is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit, charitable, healthcare outreach of the United Methodist Church.

Serving its communities since 1891, OhioHealth is a family of 35,000 associates, physicians and volunteers, and a network of 15 hospitals, three joint-venture hospitals, one managed-affiliate hospital, 200+ ambulatory sites and other health services spanning a 50-county area. For more information, visit ohiohealth.com. 

About Magtrace

• Magtrace has been widely proven to be clinically non-inferior to the combined gold-standard of Radioisotope and Blue Dye. It has been used in over 185,000 surgical procedures worldwide.
• It can be injected weeks ahead of surgery or in the operating room when the patient is under anesthetic, providing more flexibility around when the surgery takes place.
• Magtrace is simple to store - any US hospital can use it regardless of location, size or facilities.
• It’s the only solution to offer ‘delayed’ sentinel lymph node biopsy procedure, which can spare up to 80% of high-risk DCIS patients an unnecessary surgical procedure they’d otherwise receive.
• Hundreds of physicians across the US are now using Magtrace for use in standard sentinel lymph node biopsy procedures.

About Endomag

Endomag believes everyone deserves a better standard of cancer care. Their magnetic technologies are designed with both the clinician and patient in mind. Many leading hospitals across the world use the Sentimag® platform to help breast cancer patients avoid surgery when it isn’t needed, and experience better outcomes when it is.

The Sentimag® features a probe which works like a metal detector. When it is placed near the skin’s surface, it can detect Endomag’s magnetic seed marker (Magseed®) and liquid tracer (Magtrace®), for accurate lesion localization and sentinel lymph node biopsy procedures.

Endomag’s technologies have already helped over 500,000 women worldwide to access more precise, and minimally invasive breast cancer treatment.

For further information on Endomag’s technologies, contact:

Mary Nicholls - Communications Executive, Endomag

mnicholls@endomag.com

October is here, which means it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month—a time to encourage both women and men to prioritize screenings and learn how to prevent the disease. With one in eight women diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, early detection can make all the difference. 

For women without any risk factors, mammograms can begin at age 35 for a baseline, with annual screenings starting at 40. However, those at higher risk may need to start the screening process earlier. 

“Particularly if there’s family members that were diagnosed at young ages with breast cancer, we would start 10 years prior to the youngest affected family member,” Natalie Jones, MD, a breast and melanoma surgeon surgical oncologist with OhioHealth, told NBC4 anchor Rachel Ramsey. “For example, if their mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at 42, we would start screening at age 32 rather than waiting into their 40s.” 

Breast cancer cases are on the rise in recent years, especially in younger women in their 30s and 40s, said Dr. Jones. For individuals with a family history or other risk factors, options like BRCA Genetic Testing are available. 

“The ones that people are most familiar with now are BRCA1 and 2 mutations. But there’s probably 25 or more genes we can screen for now that are associated with increased risk of breast cancer,” Dr. Jones said. 

In addition to mammograms, doing monthly self-exams is a great way to stay on top of your health. Check for any changes, like lumps or skin differences, and if you notice anything unusual, reach out to your doctor for further testing. 

“Just finding these changes early can really be lifesaving,” Dr. Jones said. “Those things can be significant and then it can be worked up to determine if they are related to malignancy.”

OhioHealth recommends women follow the current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines below. Mammography has proven to save lives through early detection.

• Screening mammogram beginning at age 40 for all women of average risk 
• An annual clinical breast exam by a doctor 
• Monthly breast self-awareness 
• Specific mammogram screening guidelines can be discussed with your OhioHealth physician. 
• Women should talk to their doctors about the screening that is right for their individual needs. 
• Women at high risk for breast cancer may need more frequent or earlier mammogram screening. 

To schedule an appointment or to learn more, click here.

Coleman said she began considering mammograms in her mid-30s. With a family history of breast cancer – both of her grandmothers battled the disease and had mastectomies—Coleman knew she had to be vigilant.

Though she felt fine, she decided to act based on her family’s history. In February 2024, at the age of 41, Coleman went for her first mammogram. While it did not reveal breast cancer, the screening uncovered another concern: a mass under her left armpit.

“When I got my results that they found a mass, I was really scared,” Coleman said. “I broke down because my mom had just passed away last June of 2023 of lymphoma.”

In March, Coleman was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, stage III.

“When I was first diagnosed, I was very scared I thought I’m going to be sick and in bed all the time and I have a toddler at home. I thought, ‘how am I going to do this?’”

Coleman said she believes her mammogram saved her life.

“If I hadn’t had that mammogram, I’d be walking around today, and I wouldn’t know I had it because I showed no symptoms. There were several, like six different symptoms I could have had, and I only had one and it was night sweats,” she explained. “But I had people tell me ‘oh well you just had a baby, it’s just your body regulating back.’ And it wasn’t. It wasn’t. It was a sign that I had Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and I didn’t know until I had that mammogram.”

Coleman credits her faith, family, co-workers, and others who contribute to her support team for helping her push through treatment. She returned to work at the hospital about a month ago and will have her port removed in the next few weeks.

She is sharing her personal story to encourage others to get their mammograms.

“Get them done. It may be awkward, it may be uncomfortable, but it could save your life.”

OhioHealth recommends women follow the current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines below. Mammography has proven to save lives through early detection.

• Screening mammogram beginning at age 40 for all women of average risk.
• An annual clinical breast exam by a doctor.
• Monthly breast self-awareness.
• Specific mammogram screening guidelines can be discussed with your OhioHealth physician.
• Women should talk to their doctors about the screening that is right for their individual needs.
• Women at high risk for breast cancer may need more frequent or earlier mammogram screening.

Find out more information on OhioHealth’s mammography page here.

You can also find out more information about OhioHealth’s North Market Mobile Mammography Unit, which has helped hundreds of women access this care by eliminating the barriers. Find out more about how you can support the North Market Mobile Mammography Unit here.

WHAT: OhioHealth Pickerington Methodist Hospital is proud to offer a mammogram event for the Nepali Bhutanese community, in addition to women in underserved communities.

WHY: Annual mammograms can help detect breast cancer early when it is most treatable. The event will provide this service in an easily accessible way, along with interpreting services and financial assistance, if necessary.

WHEN: Saturday, October 26, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

WHERE: Pickerington Methodist Hospital - 1010, Refugee Rd., Pickerington, OH 43147

REGISTRATION: Those interested in registering for a mammogram should call Lynn Reynolds by October 25 at 380-243-3144.  Please leave a message with your name, date of birth, phone number and preferred language.

"Some of the discomfort I was having in my breasts was one of the reasons I took a pregnancy test," she shared on The Wellness Conversation - An OhioHealth Podcast. “I assumed it was because of the pregnancy. But this is where I credit really a combination of my OB/GYN and my own intuition.” 

This intuition and her OB/GYN’s guidance led to an ultrasound that revealed the devastating news: breast cancer. Despite no family history of cancer, Pauline emphasized the important role of regular screenings and self-awareness in achieving her early diagnosis. 

"No one knows your body like you do," she said. “And so if you feel like something's off it might be. Don't be afraid, go get checked out because knowing on the front end is so much better. The options are so much greater and the results end up being that much better too.” 

Starting treatment while pregnant was a difficult decision, but one Pauline faced with courage. Reflecting on the whirlwind of emotions following her diagnosis, she recalled drawing strength from her deep sense of purpose and determination. 

“I think for every person they need to figure out what their number one motivation will be to get through it,” Pauline said. “And for me, it's obvious, I had a child growing inside of me. I had to get through it and get him through it and be there for him. For each person, there's something you're living for. There's someone you have to be strong for. And I think finding that is so key to being able to get through any difficulty.” 

Certain chemotherapies are safe during pregnancy and Pauline’s care team carefully managed her treatment to protect both her and her baby. She underwent four rounds of chemotherapy during her second trimester and continued treatment after delivering a healthy baby boy, Taxiarchi Michael. 14 years later, he is a thriving teenager and serves as a testament to her resilience. 

“I just remember being so grateful because at that point, I didn't have any hair from the chemotherapy and my child came out and he was covered in hair,” Pauline said. “When I saw all his hair, he even had hair on his ears, I was like, this is proof that it didn't get to him.” 

Now Pauline champions the cause she once fought. After her recovery, she transitioned her career from physical therapy to oncology. 

“I've always known our mission is to improve the lives of those we serve, but I saw it happen to me,” she said. “I saw it come to full fruition so my work can never just be a job. My work has become a mission and I am humbled and just so grateful that I get to be a part of other people's journey.” 

To listen to the full interview on The Wellness Conversation - An OhioHealth Podcast, click here. 

To learn more about OhioHealth Cancer Care, click here. 

Mast's journey with breast cancer began in July of 2021 at age of 23 when she received a life-altering diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma. As a neonatal intensive care unit nurse, Mast was no stranger to the complexities of healthcare, but the news of her own diagnosis came with a new set of challenges when she learned she was pregnant with her son, Gatlin. 

"My initial thought, even as a nurse, was I either have to choose between carrying out the pregnancy or fighting my cancer," Mast shared with anchor Tracy Townsend of 10TV.

With the guidance of Deepa Halaharvi, DO, OhioHealth cancer surgeon and a breast cancer survivor herself, Mast found hope. 

"Deepa Halaharvi was the first person that we called, and she informed me that you can do treatment,” Mast said. “And luckily I caught my cancer very early.”

Screening guidelines recommend mammograms beginning at age 40. However, for young women in their 20s and 30s, screening is just as important, given the rising trend of breast cancer diagnoses in this age group.

Frequent screenings are crucial for many types of early onset cancers including colorectal and thyroid cancers.

“Early stage diagnosis leads to good prognosis,” Dr. Halaharvi said. “That is the message today. Be aware of your family history, know your breasts, know your breast density. Talk to your doctor, see if you're a candidate for cancer risk assessment which starts at age 25.”

Mast underwent a unilateral mastectomy and other surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy with careful monitoring of her son, who was her source of hope throughout the journey. Gatlin was born healthy in February of 2022. 

"I was definitely just worried about his health the entire time like, you know, trusting my care team that he's going to be okay and just trusting the power of prayer and that I was going to make it through too,” Mast said. “And he was the reason that I think I fought so hard. I can't imagine the journey without him now.”

Mast is now determined to make sure others facing similar challenges can take charge of their health. She advocates for proactive self-care and urges young women to trust their instincts.

To learn more about OhioHealth’s breast cancer care, click here.

 The event holds extra special significance for Katie, a recipient of “scalp cooling” therapy during her cancer treatment, because a portion of each race registration fee will go toward supporting this therapy for cancer patients through the OhioHealth Foundation. She plans to participate in the quarter marathon, which is scheduled close to the one-year anniversary of when she started chemotherapy, as a celebration of her recovery and an opportunity to give back.  

 “It is amazing that OhioHealth supports cancer patients in this way,” Katie said, “and being someone who benefitted from this less than a year ago, it feels really cool to be able to be on this side giving back.”  

After experiencing concerning symptoms during her second pregnancy, 31-year-old Katie underwent a bilateral mastectomy at 21 weeks, which revealed a diagnosis of stage 1A breast cancer. After delivering her son, Kaden, she began chemotherapy treatment.

“Losing your hair is one of the big things everyone thinks of when you hear 'cancer' and of course that’s where my mind went, too,” Katie said. “I’ve always had this very long curly hair which has been a defining feature for me and the thought of losing that on top of a scary diagnosis was very hard.” 

 However, she was introduced to scalp cooling, which allowed her to keep a significant portion of her hair. 

 “It essentially freezes patients' scalps in order to save their hair during some chemotherapy treatment,” said Bethany Golden, president of the Over My Head Boutique at the OhioHealth Arthur G.H. Bing, MD, Cancer Center and the Dublin Cancer Center. Patients wear their scalp cooling caps before, during and after treatment. 

 "The caps are cooled to -35 degrees Celsius with dry ice, so it's obviously quite literally freezing,” Katie said. “My husband had to change the cap every 25 minutes for a total of six hours so that in and of itself is labor intensive. All the hard work was very clearly worth it though. Scalp cooling was a way for me to have some control in a situation that was very out of my control.” 

 Thanks to donor support of the OhioHealth Foundation, 250 patients have been able to receive scalp cooling treatment since the launch of therapy in January 2019. Most traditional insurance plans do not cover costs associated with scalp cooling. Based on the average out-of-pocket cost per patient for scalp cooling therapy, the OhioHealth Foundation has been able to cover about 75 percent of that cost. Additional funding is vital to sustain and grow OhioHealth’s scalp cooling therapy program and defray direct costs to patients on their cancer treatment journey. 

 “People don't realize how expensive it is,” Katie said. “So, the fact that OhioHealth has this Foundation to help make this a more affordable option for patients who already have accrued countless medical bills might seem trivial from the outside, but to the person it’s benefitting, it’s everything.”

 In July 2023, Katie celebrated her final round of chemotherapy surrounded by her family and friends, including her husband, Jimmy, and sons, Archie and Kaden. 

 Now, Katie works as a physician assistant in the OhioHealth Breast Surgery practice, where she provides support and care to those facing similar battles. “I’m so grateful to be able to give back every single day to the community who has quite literally given me my life. How lucky am I?" Katie said.  

 She is thankful to this year’s participants for helping to support scalp cooling therapy through their registration. With her husband and a group of friends joining her in the race, Katie is ready to make it a symbol of triumph and a commitment to supporting others facing the challenges of cancer. 

 "Having my family and friends who supported me through my surgeries and treatments at my side, all of us running to give back to the very Foundation I benefited from, is going to be very emotional. I know how lucky I am; not everyone’s story is as happy as mine is. I am so grateful to be here to run this race for those who can’t, and to have the added perk of hair swinging from side to side as I run thanks to scalp cooling.”

To support OhioHealth’s Scalp Cooling Therapy Program, click here. 
To register for the OhioHealth Capital City Half & Quarter Marathon, click here. 
To learn more about Scalp Cooling Therapy at OhioHealth, click here. 

For more, watch Katie's story on NBC4.

“Mammograms tend to catch cancer when it is much smaller at a lower stage,” Dr. Halaharvi told 10TV reporter Tara Jabour. “Which means it improves survival for women and for men. There is also less need for chemotherapy, and they can have less invasive surgeries.” Mammogram screenings should be done annually starting at the age of 40.

However, breast cancer awareness should not be limited to healthcare facilities alone. Dr. Halaharvi strongly advises women to perform monthly self-examinations. “Put your arms up and look in the mirror for any tugging, dimpling, or pulling,” she said. “Look for a mass that looks like a rock or marble. Sometimes I say the knuckle, how hard that feels, if you feel something like that and it's not moving around let your physician know."

There are many common misconceptions surrounding breast cancer, including the belief that a family history of breast cancer is a prerequisite for developing the disease. Dr. Halaharvi shared that this is not necessary. Only 15 percent of women affected by breast cancer have any family history.

Another misconception is that breast cancer only affects older individuals, yet prevention is crucial regardless of age. “25 percent of all breast cancer patients are under the age of 50, 25 percent of women dying from breast cancer are under the age of 50,” Dr. Halaharvi said.

Breast cancer remains a significant health concern, with over 300,000 women and 2,800 men being diagnosed annually. Taking a proactive role in your own health can make a difference in the battle against this disease. Breast cancer awareness and early detection should be a priority for everyone. 

Click here to find an OhioHealth mammography location near you and schedule an appointment.

The Foundation will use those dollars to provide funding for OhioHealth’s Cold Cap Therapy program, an innovative cancer care treatment that can help prevent or minimize hair loss from chemotherapy. Most traditional insurance plans do not cover costs associated with cold capping, so this philanthropic support means cancer patients can retain a sense of dignity and control during their treatment journey.

Bethany Golden, president of the Over My Head Boutique at the OhioHealth Bing Cancer Center and the Dublin Cancer Center says, “It essentially freezes patients' scalps in order to save their hair during some chemotherapy treatments.” Patients wear their cold caps before, during and after treatment.

Jen Ernst is a four-time Cap City participant. She’s also a breast cancer survivor, who chose to utilize cold capping during her treatment.  She was able to keep nearly 70 percent of her hair and conceal what was lost. “I just kept thinking about the looks of pity that I would receive or the unsolicited conversations in the grocery store from strangers,” she said in an interview with 10TV.

Jen had some advice for those about to embark on cold cap therapy. “Manage your expectations,” she said. “So I think as long as you go in with realistic expectations and know that you will shed some hair. And try to focus on the hair that you are keeping, not the hair that you're losing.”

So far, more than 130 patients have been able to receive cold cap therapy, thanks to donor support of the OhioHealth Foundation. Based on the average out-of-pocket cost per patient for cold cap therapy, the OhioHealth Foundation has been able to cover about 75 percent of that cost. Additional funding is vital to sustain and grow OhioHealth’s cold cap therapy program and defray direct costs to patients on their cancer treatment journey. 

Jen is thankful to this year’s participants for helping to support cold cap therapy through their race registration. “It will provide an opportunity to some women that may not be able to cold cap. Every woman should have access to it.”

Participating in the OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon is not only a health investment within yourself but an investment in the fight against cancer.

To register for the OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon, click here.

To learn more about Cold Cap Therapy at OhioHealth, click here.

"The fact that I was working in oncology when I was diagnosed was a huge blessing to me because everything was at my fingertips. I didn't have to decide where to go, because I trust these providers, and I know that we have the best of the best and I was already where I needed to be," Dyer told Sophia Veneziano with Marion Star.

Radiation oncologist, Rebekah Young, MD, was Dyer’s doctor during her cancer journey. Although they did not know each other well before being her doctor, Dr. Young said Dyer was the ideal patient, asking questions and being involved in her care.

"What I try to give patients is not only obviously doing the best care as a doctor, as a radiation oncologist, but also being there emotionally. Some patients don't need it, and some patients don't want it, and that's fine, but I think part of the job when you're a cancer doctor is spending time with patients and listening and being able to tell what they need," Dr. Young said.

Though she received much of her treatment at OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital to have boundaries with her patients, she said she wished the cancer center was available to her as she would have considered staying onsite. Now, Monica Dyer is the oncology program manager for Marion General Hospital.

Marion General opened its brand-new comprehensive OhioHealth Marion Cancer Center on October 24. Dyer said she is excited for patients to have all services and resources in one place.

"Our oncologists, surgeons, office staff, infusion center and radiation center as well as the supportive services we offer such as our oncology nurse Navigators and social worker, dietician, lymphedema specialist and specialty providers that see patients locally - all make our cancer program what it is. And I’m blessed to be a part of it," she explained.

On October 19, the Marion Cancer Center served its first patient, Charles Nesbitt, 82, from Mount Gilead when he arrived for an infusion appointment. Nesbitt was diagnosed with leukemia in March 2021 and will continue his battle with cancer at the new comprehensive cancer center.

Lead cancer care physician, Arvinder Bhinder, MD, explained that the ease of collaboration between doctors will take away some of the stress of cancer patients. Rather than waiting for a phone call from radiation oncology, Dr. Bhinder said he can now just walk down the hall to ask questions or compare notes.

“The patient can see both of us on the same day instead of coming for two appointments. Come one day, see us, see them, and have a plan, go home. So that’s what most of the comprehensive cancer center does: the patient can come there, radiation can see them over there, oncology and surgeon can see them over here,” Dr. Bhinder said.

Marion General Hospital President Curt Gingrich, MD, said the goal in the design of both the space and the services is meeting existing needs and thinking ahead as the cancer center hopes to be a regional hub for north central Ohio.

"We look at it for what we really see as our service area as Marion, Hardin, Morrow, Wyandot and Crawford Counties and finding the way to support the hospitals in those counties and what care can be kept there and what care without having to travel further [to Columbus or Cleveland] they can come to this location to receive it.”

The Marion Cancer Center is designed to allow patients to find comprehensive cancer care closer to home. To learn more about the services offered at Marion Cancer Center, click here.

To read more about both patients’ experiences, click the links below:

First patient receives care at OhioHealth Marion Cancer Center (marionstar.com)

Breast cancer survivor shares passion for helping cancer patients (marionstar.com)

Cancer patients often fear recurrence. Distress screenings ask participants to rate how they are doing with issues with sleep, concentration and fatigue in addition to pain and emotional status. “Providing a continuum of oncology care is optimal,” says oncologist Srividya Viswanathan, MD. “Our job is to make their journey more endurable and ensure that they continue to do well.”

Services include regular physical exams, cancer screening recommendations and referral to genetic counseling to determine risks, if applicable. Nutrition counseling and fitness are also an important component of wellbeing. Participants can take grocery tours with nutrition experts and enroll in a 10-week program with a personal trainer, among other options. A social worker helps patients with socioeconomic challenges, from transportation and financial needs to emotional support and counseling.

“Everything they need is close to home and in one setting,” says nurse practitioner Tammy Canfield. “Having aftercare in one location helps patients, who are weary from the frequent trips for treatment, tests and office visits.”

Canfield says patients, who have hesitated to add one more appointment to their schedules, have found the survivorship clinic to be well worth their time. “I’ve heard them say, ‘I’m so glad I was able to come and do this.’ We’re small, but we have so many resources, and so many people who go way above and beyond to help.”

Patients and survivors may also take advantage of additional offerings, such as massage or art therapy, at OhioHealth Bing Cancer Center in Columbus. Mansfield Hospital hopes to offer this type of programming as the clinic grows, as well as expand it to eventually reach all cancer survivors.

 Breast cancer survivors come to the clinic through a referral from their oncologist after treatment. The clinic is located at the Medical Offices at Mansfield Hospital and is part of the organization’s comprehensive cancer services, which include specialized medical, surgical and radiation oncology as well as infusion and laboratory services. For more information about OhioHealth Cancer Care, call (800) 752-9119.

Today, specialized “Cold Caps” can minimize hair loss during treatment, giving patients a sense of normalcy and control and allowing them to keep their diagnosis confidential if they choose. “It allows them to tell their stories their way,” says Cooke, a local attorney who helps raise awareness and funds through a Columbus Aesthetic & Plastic Surgery (CAPS). 
non-profit, The CAPS Foundation.

The CAPS Foundation’s signature fundraiser, CAPS for the CURE, raises money to assist women with cold cap treatments; eyebrow microblading to replicate the natural look of eyebrows; skin care treatments and other measures to help women regain a sense of self. NBC4 anchor Colleen Marshall will emcee this year’s event Oct. 14 at The Exchange at Bridge Park in Dublin.

CAPS launched the event in its office parking lot 11 years ago to raise funds for breast cancer research and breakthrough innovations, such as the cold cap therapy program at OhioHealth.

Cold cap therapy uses specialized caps with cooling gel worn before, during and after chemotherapy treatments. By cooling hair follicles on the scalp, the cap causes them to go into hibernation and prevents chemotherapy agents from penetrating their roots.

Cold cap therapy can cost over $3,000 and is not covered by most insurance. The OhioHealth Foundation subsidizes the cost to make it more readily available, says Mark Mangia, senior advisor for philanthropy. A former capping patient came to OhioHealth and the foundation advocating for a formal program after navigating the difficult process of cold capping, which involves dry ice and special techniques to wrap the head.

The decision to support the cold cap program was an easy one, Mangia says. “It aligns so beautifully with our cardinal value, to honor the dignity and worth of each person.” OhioHealth partners with Over My Head Boutique and London-based Penguin Cold Caps to provide the service. “It can make a world of difference to someone going through cancer.”

After Elin died in 2014, Cooke, searched for the best way to honor her sister-in-law’s life. The work being done by the CAPS Foundation  “really hit home. I remember Elin sharing that she felt like she was losing a bit of herself when she lost her hair. I joined the CAPS board … so no woman feels like she is losing herself.”

For more information on the CAPS for the Cure event, click here.

To learn more about giving to the cold caps program at OhioHealth, click here.

Even the simple things, like seeing her daughters board the school bus every morning, were important. With her cancer treatments just eight minutes from home, Alles De Silva was able to do that,  giving her a sense of comfort and normalcy.

Alles De Silva received her chemotherapy and radiation treatments at the OhioHealth Delaware Health Center, which is celebrating 10 years of providing infusion services and five years of radiation oncology. After considering other options, she chose the Delaware Health Center because of the staff’s respect for each patient’s time, and the care and concern she felt the minute she entered the facility.

“When you walk in, you don’t feel like you’re entering a treatment center. You feel like you’re going to see your friends. They make you feel welcome, and that makes a huge difference.” When she told them her wish for 8 a.m. appointments, “they made it happen,” she says. “They become your extended family.”

Dr. Cassandra Grenade, the cancer specialist who treated Alles De Silva at the Delaware Health Center, says, “Cancer itself takes up so much of a patient’s time. As much as possible, we like to give that time back.”

Prior to the opening of the OhioHealth Delaware Health Center a decade ago, patients had to travel to the system’s larger hospitals for chemotherapy and radiation oncology services. Making a long drive, finding parking and navigating a large facility can be stressful for patients, who already may not feel well, says Carla Knisley, director of clinical support services at Delaware.

“It’s much different here. Everything is very convenient, and it’s all identifiable,” Knisley says.

 “When patients come in, they’re greeted by the whole team. If they’ve been here more than once, they’re mostly likely greeted by name. It’s more like that family environment.”

Operations manager Tonya Upperman says, “Patients love it. They love feeling like they’re not just a number.”

OhioHealth Delaware Health Center aims to provide a personal touch from the outset. Rather than going through centralized scheduling, patients receive a call from a cancer care team member as soon as their physicians refer them, Knisley says.

Cancer services at the Delaware Health Center are all-encompassing and include chemoimmunotherapy infusion, radiation oncology, social work support, nurse navigation and dietitian support. The Delaware Health Center is also home to several other specialties that make it easier for our cancer patients to receive care in one building, such as pain management, ENT, dermatology and sports medicine.

Dr. Grenade, who has worked at large medical centers, says, “I absolutely love working here. I can provide high-quality, comprehensive cancer care to patients in their own community. We are a hidden gem. What makes a difference is not just the location, it’s the people. We treat patients here like family. We cry with them, we celebrate with them, we grieve with them. We are very, very invested in our patients.”

The center has expanded its oncology programs in recent years and plans to add providers and services in the months ahead. Last year, the center began offering stereotactic radiosurgery, a focused treatment used to treat cancers that have spread to the brain. The treatment focuses radiation precisely at the tumor site, which spares nearby tissue and reduces side effects.

Alles De Silva, who was diagnosed last June, spent almost a year undergoing chemotherapy and radiation following surgery.  In addition to the more common side effects of nausea and  extreme fatigue, she also suffered from blood clots in her lungs, heart problems and neuropathy. “There were days when it was impossible to stay positive,” she admits, but her nurses gave her hope. “They played a huge, huge part. They were the rays of sunshine that I needed.”

She also appreciated the musician who came every Tuesday to play the guitar and sing familiar songs. “I actually looked forward to coming. It  was so soothing.”

Dr. Grenade says the Delaware Health Center will resume in-person patient support groups that had been suspended due to Covid-19 and plans other ancillary services. Patients celebrating treatment milestones or having birthdays will receive gift bags filled with special treats, courtesy of a financial gift from the family of a former patient. Says Knisley, “We want to celebrate those little wins throughout a patient’s journey.”

Donnamarie Packer, MD, general surgeon with OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital and OhioHealth Shelby Hospital, explained, the most common risk factors are family history and history of hormone exposure. “We are concerned about those have had children later in life, who started menopause later in life, who had long-term birth control exposure, hormonal replacement therapy exposure during menopause, and patients who have had extreme family history with first degree relatives, such as a parent or sibling,” she added.

Dr. Packer recommended that all women focus on annual screening mammograms when they reach the age of 40. Mammograms can reveal nearly 90 percent of breast cancers as early as 2 years before a lump can be felt. The mammogram appointment generally takes 30 minutes or less, and no referral is necessary for a screening mammography for women 40 and older.

Mansfield Hospital and Shelby Hospital offer advanced 3D digital mammography, known as breast tomosynthesis. A screening mammogram allows for baseline image to be collected, so subsequent screening mammograms can be compared for any changes.

“3D mammography allows a radiologist to have some clearer pictures and hopefully be able to detect cancers when they are even smaller and earlier staged,” explained Dr. Packer. “There are some cases when we do recommend getting an MRI of both breasts for patients who are higher risk or have very dense tissue. An MRI can also be obtained here.”

The OhioHealth Breast Cancer Program provides support from diagnosis to treatment to survivorship. The program includes early detection through screenings, advanced treatment options, multidisciplinary collaboration among cancer experts, including those from MD Anderson Cancer Network®, a patient navigator who provides personalized assistance throughout your cancer journey, Breast Cancer Second Opinion Clinic for extensive case review and treatment recommendations, High Risk Breast Clinic to understand and manage your breast cancer risk, cancer survivorship and supportive care, cancer genetic counseling and testing, and access to the latest research and clinical trials.

To get in touch with a cancer specialist who can answer your questions and help connect you to screening options close to home, contact OhioHealth CancerCall Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM at (800) 752-9119.

The first honoree for 2022 is Deepa Halaharvi, DO, a breast cancer surgeon at OhioHealth.  Dr. Halaharvi treats patients from a unique perspective, because she's been in their shoes.  She herself was diagnosed with breast cancer just eight months after she went into practice as a breast surgeon.

“I have no idea why I cry every single time I talk about this, but, who is better to get breast cancer than a breast cancer surgeon?” Dr. Halaharvi told NBC4 anchor Audrey Hasson.

Because she's experienced the disease first hand, she says she is really able to empathize with her patients as she understands what they are going through and what questions they may have.  Dr. Halaharvi frequently speaks about the importance of early detection with groups in the community and even hosts a podcast with one of her patients.

“My hope with this podcast is not just to educate and empower people, but also to know that it’s not the end of the world, that cancer does not take away who you are as a person, it still provides hope,” said Dr. Halaharvi.

You can view Dr. Halaharvi's “Remarkable Women” story by clicking here.

To learn more about screenings for all types of cancer, click here.

• Surgeon
• Plastic Surgeon
• Medical Oncologist
• Radiation Oncologist
• Radiologist 
• Pathologist
• Infertility Specialst
• Breast Health Nurse
• Genetic Counselor

When a patient arrives for their appointment, they receive an examination from a breast cancer specialist.  Their case is ​​​​​reviewed and treatment recommendations are provided by a multi-specialty team of clinical experts.  Jodi Oostra, MD, a breast surgeon with OhioHealth, shares more information in the OhioHealth Medical Minute video above.

The Breast Cancer Second Opinion Clinic is part of the comprehensive breast health program at OhioHealth. 

For more information, call OhioHealth CancerCall at 614-566-4321 or 1-800-752-9119. You can also get more information by viewing the flyer under the "downloads" section of this story.

To learn about breast cancer care at OhioHealth, please click here.  

"In the start of the pandemic, which was in March 2020 through the end of May 2020, all screening mammograms were suspended,” said Natalie Jones, MD, breast and melanoma surgeon and chair of the OhioHealth breast health program, in an interview with 10TV reporter Lindsey Mills. "It has delayed some diagnoses."

Dr. Jones recommends that women who have lapsed on routine care return to getting screening mammograms and reschedule any appointments that have been postponed our cancelled.  

OhioHealth recommends women follow the current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines:

• Screening mammogram beginning at age 40 for all women
• An annual clinical breast exam by a doctor
• Monthly breast self-exams
• Specific mammogram screening guidelines can be discussed with your OhioHealth physician

Women should talk to their doctors about the screening that is right for their individual needs. Women at high risk for breast cancer may need more frequent or earlier mammogram screening. To find an OhioHealth mammography location convenient for you, please click here. 

Dr. Jones told 10TV that the increase in hspitalizations from the delta variant of COVID-19 have led to delays in a certain reconstructive surgery.

"One of the options for women is autologous tissue flap-based reconstruction, we call them deep flaps. Those have been put on hold again now for the third time because it usually requires a 3-day hospitalization," she told 10TV.

The pandemic has led to a positive change for mastectomies, however.

"We've actually figured out through the pandemic how to do most of our mastectomy surgeries even with reconstruction as outpatient surgery,” said Dr. Jones. “So the majority of our patients do not spend the night in the hospital and go home the same day.”

To view 10TV's story, click on the logo below.

Both women came in 2019 for their first mammograms in many years and are now committed to making annual mammograms part of their yearly routine.  However, the COVID-19 pandemic made things a little different this year, a year where many women are using it as an excuse to skip screenings.  But even in the midst of a pandemic, you still need a mammogram.  Darlene and Colleen wanted to take the opportunity to show women that it is safe to get screened.  There are some differences, including masks, social distancing and hand sanitizer.  But screening is vital and can be done safely.

"Women need to do it for their own health," said Lauren Miller, MD, a radiologist with Riverside Radiology and Interventional Associates.  "They can comfortably and safely do it."  

"I'll be honest, I probably wouldn't have come in if she didn't make me do it," Colleen said of Darlene's encouragement.  "I don't have time for this, I don't have a history in my family and I put it off when I really shouldn't."

However, Dr. Miller said that even if you don't have a family history, you still need to make screening a priority.

"The majority of cases are actually in patients that don't have a family history of breast cancer," said Dr. Miller.

OhioHealth recommends women follow the current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines:

• Screening mammogram beginning at age 40 for all women
• An annual clinical breast exam by a doctor
• Monthly breast self-exams
• Specific mammogram screening guidelines can be discussed with your OhioHealth physician

Women should talk to their doctors about the screening that is right for their individual needs. Women at high risk for breast cancer may need more frequent or earlier mammogram screening. To find an OhioHealth mammography location convenient for you, please click here. 

That's why OhioHealth has created chair aerobics and resistance exercise videos for cancer survivors to do from home.  To access the videos, please click here.  We recommend you consult with your physician before beginning any exercise program.

"Most of the research in survivorship related to exercise is in breast cancer because that's the largest group of survivors.  There are 3.8 million breast cancer survivors," said Colleen Zombek, OhioHealth Advanced Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist told 10TV medical reporter Tracy Townsend. "You can do it from home, wear what you want to wear.  But  getting in that physical activity is so important."

Deniece Pittman is an eight-year cancer survivor. She also stars in one of the OhioHealth exercise videos. Deniece, who works as a hairstylist, told Townsend that exercising has made standing up all day at work easier.  

"The exercise has really helped me to know how to stretch," said Deniece. "Especially getting up in the morning and everything is aching.  So it really taught me to do stretch exercises before you even start your morning.    

Click here to learn more about cancer care at OhioHealth.

We continue to put the safety of our patients, associates and providers first. Thousands of our patients have already had visits in person with their doctors using these new safety measures. At all of our locations, or virtually through telehealth, OhioHealth providers are ready to deliver the care you need without compromising your sense of comfort. 

Before an imaging or mammogram appointment, patients will receive a call to discuss the details of their visit and answer a few questions about COVID-19 symptoms or exposure. When patients arrive, we will:

• Clean and disinfect all equipment and surfaces between patients.
• Ask patients to remain in their car until 15 minutes before their appointment, to minimize the number of patients in our waiting area.
• Take the temperature of all patients and require them to wear masks.
• Enforce social distancing guidelines in our waiting area.
• Restrict visitors, unless patients need physical assistance.

OhioHealth's specialized breast cancer surgeons: Natalie Jones, MD, Deepa Halaharvi, DO, Jodi Oostra, MD, Mark Cripe, DO and Kara Rossfeld, MD, recently came together virtually to share important information about breast cancer detection, which you may view in the video player above.

Are you due for your mammogram?  If so, click here to find a location near you.  

To learn more about breast cancer care at OhioHealth, click here.

"We do emphasize the importance of self exam, but also getting that baseline screening mammogram at age 35, and then yearly at age 40 is very important," Dr. Jones told NBC4 anchor Darlene Hill. 

OhioHealth recommends women follow the current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines below.

• Screening mammogram beginning at age 40 for all women
• An annual clinical breast exam by a doctor
• Monthly breast self-exams
• Specific mammogram screening guidelines can be discussed with your OhioHealth physician

Mammography has proven to save lives through early detection.

Women should talk to their doctors about the screening that is right for their individual needs. Women at high risk for breast cancer may need more frequent or earlier mammogram screening.

To find an OhioHealth mammography location convenient for you, please click here. 

“Even though I did exercise before, there’s a lot I don’t know and there’s a lot I don’t understand so I’ve really leaned heavily on professionals that know better to help me through this journey,” Moore told 10TV reporter Molly Brewer. “So I would really emphasize, don’t be afraid to reach out.”

Laura Leach, clinical exercise physiologist at OhioHealth McConnell Heart Health Center, works with patients to help them learn and understand exercises that will best suit their needs during medical challenges, specifically cancer.

“One of the main things is that your body is very different during treatment and a lot of people don’t know how they’re going to react to exercise,” said Leach. “All they know is what they did before. And so, a lot of times what people will do is they’ll try to jump back into exercise and try to just do what they did before and that doesn’t work because they’re very fatigued or whether they’ve had a surgery or something or it’s been a while and so one of the most important things that we tell people is that you have to start slow.”

Moore was able to work on making a new normal when it came to exercise. She is now five years cancer free and works with Leach on her cardio and strength resistance.

“There’s a lot of misinformation out there I think, too. Professionals can help you weed through some of that,” said Moore.

When it comes to exercise it doesn’t have to be running miles or lifting weights. For someone going through cancer treatment even the smallest things that get you up and moving can be beneficial.

“We use the word ‘exercise’ loosely, in that, you know, people think exercise has to be springing on a treadmill and when you’re in treatment, exercise could be a five-minute walk out to your mailbox,” Leach said.

Staying active not only keeps you healthy but can also be a source of motivation. watching your body be being able to grow and achieve new goals can help you continue to move forward during cancer treatment and after.

“When you see yourself getting stronger, it’s encouraging, and of course I think exercise helps with that,” Moore said.

To find more information on OhioHealth cancer rehabilitation click here.

You can view the 10TV story by clicking on their logo to the right.  

When NBC4 news anchors, Darlene Hill and Colleen Marshall, discovered that they both were overdue for their annual mammograms they wanted to do something about. So they scheduled mammography appointments together at the OhioHealth Arthur G.H. Bing, MD, Cancer Center. For some women, these appointments can be intimidating, so why not do it with a friend?

"It helped us to test the ta-ta's together," said Hill. "Sadly we get busy we forget and sometimes we don't put ourselves on the list because that list is just too long."

“I’m embarrassed to admit, I found out today, it’s been five years since I had a mammogram and I’m supposed to be doing it every year. We all are,” said Marshall.

Hill and Marshall walked into their appointments together laughing and smiling. For something a little more serious, making it an adventure with a friend can help ease some of the stress. But it is important for women to keep getting their yearly mammograms as breast cancer survival rates increase with early detection.

"10 minutes, that's it. It was a little uncomfortable for both us. Uncomfortable but worth it," said Hill.

So how does a mammogram actually work in terms of screening?

"What happens is the tube moves in an arch over your breast and takes multiple images and then the computer reconstructs your breast in 1-millimeter thicknesses," said Mary Pat Borgess, MD, radiologist with Riverside Radiology and Interventional Associates at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital.  

Yearly mammograms provide the best chance of catching breast cancer.

"We do see cancer that probably wouldn't have been picked up for three or four years," said Dr. Borgess.

If you’re intimidated by getting an annual mammogram, try to make it fun by scheduling your next mammogram with a friend. You could even make a day of it and grab lunch or dinner after to celebrate taking care of yourselves.

OhioHealth recommends women follow the current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines below.

• Screening mammogram beginning at age 40 for all women
• An annual clinical breast exam by a doctor
• Monthly breast self-exams
• Specific mammogram screening guidelines can be discussed with your OhioHealth physician

Mammography has proven to save lives through early detection.

Women should talk to their doctors about the screening that is right for their individual needs. Women at high risk for breast cancer may need more frequent or earlier mammogram screening.

To find an OhioHealth mammography location convenient for you, please click here. 

Natalie Jones, MD, breast and melanoma surgeon at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital and chair of the OhioHealth Breast Health Program, worked with 10TV reporter Molly Brewer to record a "Commit to be Fit" promo to encourage women to advocate for themselves and get a mammogram. The promo is airing throughout the month of October on 10TV and may also be viewed above.

“Mammograms can reveal 90 percent of breast cancer 2 years before you can feel a lump,” said Dr. Jones.

OhioHealth recommends women follow the current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines below.

• Screening mammogram beginning at age 40 for all women
• An annual clinical breast exam by a doctor
• Monthly breast self-exams
• Specific mammogram screening guidelines can be discussed with your OhioHealth physician

Mammography has proven to save lives through early detection.

Women should talk to their doctors about the screening that is right for their individual needs. Women at high risk for breast cancer may need more frequent or earlier mammogram screening.

To find an OhioHealth mammography location convenient for you, please click here. 

Natalie Jones, MD, breast and melanoma surgeon at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital and chair of the OhioHealth Breast Health Program, was interviewed by Spectrum News 1 anchor, Sophia Constantine, about the risks of breast cancer and what you can do to help decrease your risk.

“Things that increase risk are unhealthy diet choices, lack of exercise, obesity is certainly a problem in addition to family history and genetics,” said Dr. Jones. 

The American Cancer Society estimates that around 10,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2019, and that around 1,700 women will die of breast care. So it’s important to make sure you are eating health, exercising, completing self-breast exams, and getting a yearly mammogram.

“Every woman should have a base line screening mammogram sometime between the ages of 35, and 40, and then starting at age 40 yearly mammograms are recommended,” Dr. Jones told Spectrum News 1.

Self-breast exams are suggested to be done every month. If anything unusual is found while completing a self-exam Dr. Jones recommends patients immediately contact their primary care physician or OBGYN.

Dr. Jones said the most important thing to remember is for women to “be aware of their body and to make sure they are getting those regular screening mammograms and have that good relationship with their doctor.”

To find an OhioHealth mammography location near you click here.

While breast cancer in men is not as common, over 2,000 men are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S. this year. Mathew Knowles, the father of singer Beyoncé, recently announced his diagnosis, shining a light on the subject and encouraging men to be aware that they, too, can be diagnosed.

Deepa Halaharvi, DO, a breast cancer survivor and breast surgeon at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center and OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, discussed some information surrounding male breast cancer in the latest OhioHealth Medical Minute.

“It is in less than 1% of all breast cancers,” said Dr. Halaharvi. “One in 833 men will get diagnosed with breast cancer so it’s not that common.”

Dr. Halaharvi said while women are encouraged to complete monthly self-breast exams, it is also important for men to be aware of changes in their bodies as well. Things they should be looking out for are lumps or a mass in the breast (whether they are painful or not), discharge from the nipple, pulling of the skin or a lump under the arm.

“In the last 25 years there has been a 25% increase in male breast cancer and we don’t know if that’s because men are more aware of symptoms and are going to the doctor,” said Dr. Halaharvi.

Treatment for breast cancer is specific for every case depending on the cancer. The treatment options do not change whether it is for men or women.

“The treatment for breast cancer for men or women depends on the location of the tumor, the size of the tumor, and the stage of the cancer and typically it involves some combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and anti-estrogen therapy,” said Dr. Halaharvi.

Learn more about OhioHealth Cancer Care by clicking here.

Some women diagnosed with breast cancer may not be receiving the treatment that best suits them, but a new specialized test can make sure that no longer happens.

Deepa Halaharvi, DO, a breast cancer survivor and breast surgeon at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center and OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hosptial, has joined a national movement to make sure women are receiving the best treatment plan. The movement “Put Chemo to the Test” not only tests the use of chemotherapy, but more importantly empowers women to have a say in their treatment plan. 

Oncotype DX has started to change the way women and doctors create their treatment plans. The test “Looks at the tumor biology and it gives you this personalized valuable information that tells you is there a benefit from chemotherapy,” Dr. Halaharvi told 10TV medical reporter Tracy Townsend. “It is also prognostic and tells you if the cancer’s going to come back.” 

The most important thing is making sure patients are informed about their options so that they can make the best personalized treatment plan.“I’m not saying chemotherapy is bad,” said Dr. Halaharvi. However, some women diagnosed with breast cancer are unnecessarily receiving chemotherapy and having to face the harsh side effects.

The Oncotype DX test is used specifically for women diagnosed with stage one or two, hormone receptor positive breast cancer. Your score is out of a scale of zero to one hundred based on your tumor's biology.

OhioHealth recommends women of average risk should schedule annual mammograms beginning age 40, as well as monthly self-breast exams to help prevent against breast cancer. Women should also talk to their doctors to make individualized plans. If you are at a higher risk may need to begin screening sooner. 

To find an OhioHealth mammography location near you click here.  

Adriana Lashley, who works on OhioHealth’s CareConnect team was diagnosed with breast cancer at her 30 week ultrasound. Lashley knew what this meant having seen her mother survive breast cancer twice, but was unsure of this this meant for the health of her baby, being just one in 3,000 women to be diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy.

“I didn’t think it was possible, I’m too young, I’m pregnant, I’m supposed to be worried about getting my vitamins. All of a sudden I had to worry about treatment,” Lashley told 10TV reporter Karina Nova in a recent interview.

Lashley was induced just five weeks later and immediately started treatment at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital. “It’s tough, stressful, sad, you get your warrior face on, you think let’s do this, let’s have this baby,” said Lashley.

Lashley’s mom was her greatest support system. Holding healthy baby Emma, and being an example of strength and resiliency. “I knew what she would go through, the treatment, the surgery, she’s too young, it’s not really easy,” said Adriana de le Pena, Adriana’s mother, who works for OhioHealth Cancer Services.

Lashley is currently recovering from reconstructive surgery. She told 10TV it will be six to eight weeks before she can hold her daughter but is determined to push through to pass along a strong message to her daughter.

“Any obstacle, any challenge that she can face it with strength. Knowing that my family has been through worse, we can get through anything.”

OhioHealth recommends women of average risk should schedule annual mammograms beginning age 40, as well as monthly self-breast exams to help prevent against breast cancer. Women should also talk to their doctors to make individualized plans. If you are at a higher risk may need more frequent screening. To schedule an OhioHealth mammography appointment click here.  To view the entire 10TV story, click on their logo below.

Mammograms can be one of the most dreaded appointments in a women’s year. Taking time out of their day to be “squeezed” can bring a sense of dread. But, mammograms are not as bad as people make them out to be. This short, non-painful, potentially life-saving procedure should not be pushed aside.

For the second year in a row, FOX28 Good Day Columbus anchor, Shawn Ireland, went live during her mammogram, on OhioHealth’s Mobile Mammography Unit, to show the importance and simplicity of the procedure.

“I’ve never found it to be painful,” said Ireland during her live mammogram. “It’s pressure, not pain.” And “just like that I am done.” The whole procedure only took 20 minutes in the hands of the OhioHealth technicians – from check-in time to the end of the mammogram.

Lauren Miller, MD, radiologist with Riverside Radiology, who read Ireland’s mammography images last year, came back to share why annual mammograms are so important.

“One of the major things that we look at, when we are looking at a mammogram, is somebodies prior images,” said Dr. Miller. “Everybody has different tissue pattern, different densities.” That’s why it is important for women to continually schedule annual mammograms starting at age 40.

Breast density is looked at through mammogram images. A change in density can be an indicator of cancer, or simply a result of hormonal changes. Women are recommended to not only have annual scans, but to also preform monthly breast self-exams, in order to catch any changes.

Noticing a change in your breast tissue can potentially be an indicator of breast cancer, said Dr. Miller. It is important to “get it checked by your doctor” if you do notice any changes in your breasts.

Ireland’s images were read by Dr. Miller and are clear again! This means she is good until her mammogram next year, unless she notices something that seems abnormal during a self-exam. “For all of you out there who have any apprehension what so ever, you shouldn’t have,” Said Ireland.

OhioHealth recommends that women of average risk begin screening mammography at age 40, but all women should talk with their doctor to determine, individual screening plans that work best for their needs, based on family history. Women with higher risks of breast cancer may need to begin screening sooner. 

To schedule an OhioHealth mammography appointment, click here.  To have the mobile mammography unit come to your place of business, please email Mobile-Mammography@ohiohealth.com. 

Tough Enough to Wear Pink is a three-day charity horse show that raises money to support cancer patients and their families at the OhioHealth Arthur G.H. Bing, MD, Cancer Center. The show has been a big draw for the horse community for the past 12 years as it gives exhibitors the opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause. Each member of the committee has a passion for horses and an even bigger passion for helping cancer patients.

Proceeds from Tough Enough to Wear Pink benefit patients who have been diagnosed with breast, colon or prostate cancer. To date, $210,800 has been donated to the OhioHealth Foundation to help patients in a variety of ways, such as:

• Providing colonoscopy preparation kits for underserved patients at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital
• Providing access to a less invasive, musculoskeletal ultrasound for pelvic floor therapy that allows clinicians to review a prostate cancer’s function
• Providing round-trip transportation to appointments for breast cancer patients in need of rides
• Providing breast cancer patients and their families with meals delivered directly to their homes
• Providing house cleaning services to breast cancer patients currently in treatment

A documentary about the mission, event and people associated with Tough Enough to Wear Pink was produced and aired nationally in late 2018 on RFD-TV. Three OhioHealth breast cancer patients shared the stories of their cancer journeys and talk about how funds from this event helped them during treatment. You can view the documentary in its entirety above.  

To learn more about the Bing Cancer Center, click here. To make a gift in support of the program, click here or contact Anita Laterro, vice president of philanthropy for OhioHealth at (614) 566.4890 or anita.laterro@ohiohealth.com

Photos Courtesy of Michael Price - Fairfield Photography

A recent study from the University of North Carolina noted that women who have given birth could be at a higher risk for breast cancer, compared to women who have not given birth. It said the risk is highest five years post-partum, but that after two decades, the risk actually drops. 34 years postpartum, their breast cancer risk drops by 23 percent.

10TV medical reporter Tracy Townsend recently visited with Natalie Jones, MD, director of the breast health program at OhioHealth. Dr. Jones said this study should not scare women off from having babies. She says since the risk is small, this study can be misleading.

“I don’t think we should change anything based on this study,” says Dr. Jones. “I still encourage women to have kids and to continue to breast feed, because in the end, I think those are both still protective. They do not in the long term increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer.

Early detection is beneficial in treating breast cancer. OhioHealth recommends women follow the current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines below:

• Screening mammogram beginning at age 40
• An annual clinical breast exam by a doctor
• Monthly breast self-exams
• Specific mammogram screening guidelines can be discussed with your OhioHealth physician

To learn more about this study and hear from Dr. Jones, you can watch the 10TV video above.

Never had a mammogram and are nervous about going in for your first screening? Click here for a video with Dr. Jones on what to expect and why it’s so important.

Need to schedule a mammogram?  Click here to find a location near you.  You can schedule by phone, online or through the OhioHealth app.

In this edition of OhioHealth Medical Minutes, Marcus Thorpe talks with Natalie Jones, MD, the director of breast cancer services at OhioHealth. They discuss what a mammogram is, why they are important to have every year, what to expect at your appointment and what happens next if something abnormal is found.

Nervous about getting a mammogram? Dr. Jones says once you do it, you’ll see its benefits outweigh the fears.

“I think they realize it’s not as anxiety provoking once they’ve been through the experience one time,” said Dr. Jones. “Our whole group from our technicians to our radiologists are outstanding. We want to make it a positive experience for women because it is so important and it’s critical. If we have those yearly pictures, we can catch things so much earlier than if we let them grow to the point where they are palpable on an exam.

OhioHealth recommends women follow the current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines below:

• Screening mammogram beginning at age 40
• An annual clinical breast exam by a doctor
• Monthly breast self-exams
• Specific mammogram screening guidelines can be discussed with your OhioHealth physician

“Certainly if there is any history of breast cancer in the family, we recommend starting 10 years before the youngest affected family member was diagnosed,” said Dr. Jones.

You can schedule your mammogram conveniently online or on the OhioHealth app. Click here for more information.

Click here to visit the OhioHealth Blog and learn more about what to expect at a mammogram.

When a cancer patient loses their hair they not only lose a part of themselves, they lose a sense of control and confidence.

When Jen Tassi, a breast cancer patient at the OhioHealth Arthur G.H. Bing Cancer Center was beginning chemotherapy, she discovered a new technology called “cold capping” that could help her have control over something during her treatment – her hair. A cold cap fits tight on someone’s head like a helmet and cools their head during chemotherapy. This cooling technology can allow a patient to retain some hair that might be lost without the cool cap.

“It was a huge thing to look at yourself in the mirror every day and not look like I was sick,” Tassi told Columbus Dispatch reporter JoAnne Viviano. “You looked like a healthy person, so you kind of felt like a healthy person, or you didn’t look like a cancer patient when you were out.”

According to the Polar Cold Caps website, the cap itself constricts the blood vessels keeping the chemotherapy medicine from affecting the hair follicles. The cold from the cap slows down the in the metabolism of the hair follicles and keeps the cells dormant during the process blocking the chemotherapeutic medicine.

When other patients, like Tassi, reached out to providers for increased awareness of the cold caps, OhioHealth began working with other care sites to get the word out to patients.

According to Pauline Russ, the system program director for cancer services at OhioHealth and also a breast cancer survivor, OhioHealth is making it easier for patients who are interested to find cold caps. Associates from OhioHealth cancer services pulled together a committee aimed to share information about them with medical providers. Bethany Golden, the owner of Over My Head Boutique at the Bing Cancer Center, has agreed to connect interested patients with available cold cap services.

“You want to be able to compartmentalize what is happening to you. So, the cancer and the treatment of it is one part of your life, but you don’t want it to become your identity,” Russ told Viviano. “You want to blend in as much as possible.”

To learn more about cancer services at OhioHealth, click here.

To read more about Tassi’s experience with cold caps, click on the Columbus Dispatch logo.

Mammograms. Many women dread or even fear those few seconds of having their breast tissue “squished” in order to take photos to screen for breast cancer. Others say they simply don’t have the time to get one. However, getting a mammogram doesn’t take much time, isn’t painful and is a great tool for catching cancer in its early stages.

Recently, FOX28 Good Day Columbus anchor Shawn Ireland decided to get her yearly mammogram done live on the air, in order to show viewers just how easy a mammogram really is.

“It’s really nothing, it truly isn’t,” said Ireland on-air after receiving her mammogram. “To get that done and have the peace of mind that everything is going to be okay for another year (is comforting.) I’m all set after my mammogram this morning, no wear no tear!”

“Seriously, it was nothing,” said Ireland.

OhioHealth recommends women follow the current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines below.

• Screening mammogram beginning at age 40 for all women
• An annual clinical breast exam by a doctor
• Monthly breast self-exams
• Specific mammogram screening guidelines can be discussed with your OhioHealth physician

Women should talk to their doctors about the screening that is right for their individual needs. Women at high risk for breast cancer may need more frequent or earlier mammogram screening. To find an OhioHealth mammography location convenient for you, please click here. 

To schedule an OhioHealth mammography appointment, click here.  To have the mobile mammography unit come to your place of business, please email Mobile-Mammography@ohiohealth.com. 

To see the video of Shawn's mammogram and hear her talk about it, click on the "Good DayColumbus" image.

Funding from Komen Columbus helped OhioHealth purchase the unit seven years ago. We’re so grateful for their support and partnership.  Komen Columbus Race for the Cure is on May 19, 2018.  For more information or to register, click here.