Preventing a Familiar Fate of Losing the Battle Against Breast and Ovarian Cancer
Throughout her life, Georganne Snyder has witnessed the unfortunate fate of every woman on her mother’s side of the family struggle, and eventually lose, their battle with breast or ovarian cancer. As a teenager, Georganne helped her grandmother, “Nana,” bandage herself after undergoing a mastectomy. Later, Georganne’s mother, Susie Allison, agonized from recurring stage 4 ovarian cancer. With the assistance of caring doctors at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, Georganne has made preventative decisions, and is changing the path of her journey. Her new path began with a standard, yearly gynecological checkup with ob-gyn, Dr. Mark McCormick.
Georganne was tested through the Magee and University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute’s Cancer Genetics Program to determine if her family history of women’s cancers was hereditary. Genetic counselors Abigail Barnes and Dr. Brian Clark discovered she was BRCA 2 positive, meaning her risk of developing ovarian and/or breast cancer was greatly increased. A BRCA 2 mutation indicates that the genes that are supposed to suppress tumors mutate. To combat the possibility of facing breast and/or ovarian cancer, she underwent a prophylactic oophorectomy, or removal of both ovaries, in July 2007. This procedure significantly reduced Georganne’s odds of developing breast cancer by as high as 50 percent and ovarian cancer by about 96 percent.
In August 2008, a non-cancerous problem was detected at her annual mammogram that she believed would require a lumpectomy, a common procedure to remove benign lumps. Dr. Ronald Johnson, a Magee breast surgeon, guided Georganne’s courageous decision to undergo a bilateral mastectomy, or removal of both breasts, to yet again prevent breast cancer. This was not an easy decision for Georganne. “I feared feeling ashamed of my appearance after surgery and possibly losing the love of my husband, but was also terrified to be the next woman of the family to get cancer like all the rest,” said Georganne. As a child, she witnessed how her Nana always kept her back to the mirror while getting dressed, out of fear of seeing her scarring and disfigurement.
To help overcome her fears, Ronald Johnson, MD, of Magee’s Division of Surgical Oncology, patiently explained to Georganne her mastectomy options and the risks associated, and referred her to a plastic surgeon for possible breast reconstruction. Dr. Johnson helped her make her own decisions with no pressure.
Following the bilateral mastectomy performed in March 2009, “Dr. Johnson made me feel confident that I did exactly the right thing. He expressed a genuine happiness when he saw my beautiful results,” said Georganne. He also genuinely wished for her continued health.
Now finishing breast reconstruction, Georganne knows in her heart that “the great doctors of Magee have saved her from what seemed to be certain cancer,” and now feels free, blessed, and relieved. “Magee can make you new. It did for me. I’m blessed to have been able to receive exceptional care there,” said Georganne.
Opportunities for Giving: Breast Cancer Research and Education
Opportunities for Giving: Ovarian Cancer Research and Education
|
