CentraState - Healthy Directions

Cancer Society recommends for women over 40. But when two close relatives developed serious illnesses, the 60-year- old Manalapan resident became so focused on their health needs that she placed less priority on her own. This included missing her mammogram for three years in a row. At the time, she wasn't overly concerned. There was no history of breast cancer in her family, and Barbara assumed heredity accounted for most cases of the disease. Additionally, she continued performing breast self-examinations and felt no telltale lump or tenderness, nor noted any other changes that might have signaled a problem. So, when she finally had a mammogram last fall and was diagnosed with cancer in her left breast, she was entirely unprepared for the news. family practice physician It was Barbara's primary care physician who urged her to get the mammogram last year that detected the problem and, she says, may have saved her life. Barbara visited board-certified family practice physician Marc Feingold, MD, to get new prescriptions for blood pressure and cholesterol medications. Dr. Feingold, who is on the medical staff at CentraState Medical Marc Feingold, MD, Center, had taken over the Manalapan practice of Barbara's former primary care doctor, who had retired. While reviewing Barbara's medical history, Dr. Feingold realized she was long overdue for both a mammogram and a colonoscopy. He wrote prescriptions for both and urged Barbara to make scheduling them a priority. Barbara's mammogram, performed at CentraState's Women's Health Center, revealed calcifications, which can be an indication of cancer. A subsequent biopsy confirmed she had breast cancer. Last October, Barbara underwent a lumpectomy to remove the affected area, and it was discovered that the cancer had spread into her lymph nodes. 12 September/October 2011 An Overdue Mammogram Saves the Day B arbara Mozeleski usually was diligent about getting her annual mammogram, which the American Barbara Mozeleski can attest to the benefit of annual screening mammograms. A mammogram in late 2010 and subsequent prompt treatment helped her return to a healthy life. In January, Barbara opted to undergo a double mastectomy, meaning the non- cancerous breast was also removed as a prophylactic measure. Although it hasn't been easy, following surgery, five months of chemotherapy under the care of CentraState hematologist/oncologist Bhavesh Balar, MD, and then reconstructive surgery, Barbara is well on her way to a full recovery and has returned to work as an instructional assistant in the local school district. Bhavesh Balar, MD, hematologist/oncologist Contemplating what could have happened had she not heeded Dr. Feingold's advice, Barbara reflects, "I never felt a lump at all, and I'm not sure even now if I'd be able to feel anything. I've been upset and cried, but I'm getting through it. I am so thankful to Dr. Feingold for recommending I have a mammogram." Dr. Feingold can't stress enough the importance of having an annual mammogram. "Just because you don't have a family history of breast cancer doesn't mean you shouldn't have a screening mammogram," Dr. Feingold says. "A screening mammogram looks for the unexpected. It's far better to find something early and take care of it before it turns bad." For information about services at CentraState's Women's Health Center, including mammography, visit www.centrastate.com/mammogram or call (732) 294-2626. HD A Mammogram and a Manicure CentraState's Women's Health Center will provide a gift certificate for a free manicure to every woman who comes in for a digital mammogram during October—National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To schedule a mammography appointment, call (732) 294-2626. Healthy Directions

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