Nurse, new mother calls mammogram at 40 'life-saving'

By Rachel Vasquez, MSN, BSN, clinical risk manager, AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center

Upon returning to work after the birth of my daughter, I received a reminder about AtlantiCare’s “Know Your Numbers,” a program that encourages employees to get regular health checks and screenings. As a new mom and a nurse during a pandemic, I had much on my plate. Something told me that I needed to do this. I set up a time with my primary care provider, William Berlin, D.O., AtlantiCare Physician Group Primary Care Plus. He saw that my 40^th birthday was approaching. He asked me if I had had a mammogram. I had not, so he ordered one. That mammogram led to my diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Getting a mammogram at age 40—and the care I have needed afterward—saved my life!

For many reasons, I consider AtlantiCare home. I met my husband, Angelo, an AtlantiCare paramedic, when I was an EMS nurse. I gave birth to my daughter here. I come here every workday grateful for the opportunities to care for others, and joyful to be with the many colleagues who have become like family to me. When I received my breast cancer diagnosis, I made my choice to get my treatment and care at AtlantiCare. My breast surgeon, James Frost, M.D, and his team performed my surgery at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center. Dr. Frost is part of the multidisciplinary team treating me at AtlantiCare’s Cancer Care Institute. This past August, the day after my daughter’s second birthday, I began my chemotherapy at the Institute’s Egg Harbor Township location.

The fact that we found my cancer early makes me incredibly passionate about sharing my story as proof that early detection saves lives. As we approach fall and winter holidays, I have so much to look forward to with my family and friends, including my last chemo treatment. Happy moments like Halloween with my daughter become all the more meaningful for me. These things might not have been in my future if I hadn’t followed AtlantiCare’s Know Your Numbers guidelines and, subsequently, gotten my mammogram and other screenings.

My lessons to share

Through my breast cancer experience, I’ve learned and continue to learn many valuable lessons:

• Remember that you could be the one in 8 women diagnosed with breast cancer. Cancer can strike anyone at any time. I was barely 40 and didn’t know of any family history. Be prepared for the possibility.
• Get your screenings and have regular health checks—all of them. From blood pressure and cholesterol checks to cancer screenings and physicals. Make a calendar of all recommendations for your age.
• Mammograms and other age and risk-based screenings can save lives by detecting cancer in its earliest stages when treatment is most effective.
• You need a primary care provider. Be loyal in keeping appointments and be open and honest with them and other members of your care team.
• If your employer offers wellness check incentives, take advantage of them. AtlantiCare’s programs to support employee wellness led to the mammogram that saved my life.

Remember the value of getting care close to home. I made the choice to stay home to conquer my cancer—to be surrounded by my strongest support system made up of my family and my AtlantiCare family. This started with my surgical consult and surgery, continues now with treatment, and will carry on throughout my life. The AtlantiCare team has provided me with exceptional, compassionate care. Having my caregivers nearby spared me from the exhaustion of travel and allowed me to keep working. I’ve been able to be present for and enjoy my daughter’s first two years of life. Getting care in my community also allowed me to continue working—which for me is one of the best medicines.

I’ve frequently heard the advice, “You have to take care of yourself first, then you can take care of others.” Through my cancer diagnosis I’ve fully experienced the truth in this. I’ve learned that I don’t have to do it all, and that it’s okay to ask for help on hard days. As a nurse, a mom and a wife, I am wired to care for everyone else before myself. The reason I can continue to do all this today is that I got my mammogram and am sticking to the treatment plan. I am here to raise my daughter with my husband, to care for patients, to mentor new nurses, and more. This year I mark National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by sharing my story, confident it will help others survive cancer, enjoy their loved ones, and celebrate their lives.

To learn more about AtlantiCare’s breast health and breast cancer services, visit atlanticare.org/breastcancer.