When Janet Holland felt a small lump near the surface of her breast, she didn’t expect it to change her life.

Following a doctor’s visit, a mammogram and then a biopsy, Janet received the news. It was October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, when she found herself sitting across from her doctor, trying to absorb the words ‘breast cancer’.  

“Hearing you have breast cancer, it’s like the air goes out of the room,” she said. “Everything after that becomes a blur.”

Within weeks, she was scheduled for surgery, followed by radiation. Today, Janet is in remission and recently celebrated her first medication holiday, also known as a treatment break. Now, she has yearly follow-up mammograms to ensure that she remains healthy and cancer-free.

Early detection is key,” Holland said. “You don’t think cancer will happen to you, until it does. Giving yourself a breast exam, scheduling and keeping up with your mammograms; it could save your life.”

Early detection saves lives

Janet’s story is a reminder of why early detection, through regular screenings and breast exams, is so important. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 8 women and people assigned female at birth in the U.S. will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. When detected early, before it spreads, the five-year survival rate exceeds 99%.

“Early detection is one of our strongest tools in the fight against breast cancer,” said Safina Koreishi, MD, MPH, Senior Medical Director, Clinical Services, CareOregon. “A mammogram can find changes long before symptoms happen, and when cancer is caught early, we know that the survival rate increases tremendously.”

Yet screening rates remain lower than they should be. Nationally, about 1 in 4 women and people assigned female at birth aged 50 to 74 are not up to date with their mammograms. For younger women and people assigned female at birth, self-awareness is equally critical.

Janet, who discovered her lump through touch, encourages everyone to give themselves a breast exam.

If you feel something different, even a small change, don’t ignore it,” she said. “That call could save your life.”

After her diagnosis, Janet used her professional experience to advocate for improvements in patient communication and support systems. She helped coordinate provider training, partnered with local cancer centers and later joined the Pink Lemonade Project board to expand resources for women and people assigned female at birth facing breast cancer.

“If I had to get cancer,” she said, “I wanted something positive to come out of it.” Today, that something positive is her ongoing mission to make sure no person faces breast cancer alone or unprepared.

How CareOregon can support you

A mammogram is the best way to catch breast cancer early. CareOregon members have access to mammograms at no cost. If you’re due for a mammogram or breast exam, don’t wait. Talk with your provider or learn more here.

You can also send us a secure message through our Member Portal at careoregon.org/portal Don’t have a provider? Use CareOregon’s Find a Provider tool.