I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (Breast Cancer) on May 19, 2014 at age 42.

It all started with a bad ear infection the beginning of April. I took 2 rounds of antibiotics and the pain only got worse. Finally, I was referred to an ENT Specialist. When my referral nurse went to make the appointment, she saw an order for a mammogram which had been sitting there since October 2013. She not only scheduled my ENT appointment, but she scheduled my mammogram for the following week. If I wouldn’t have had an ear infection, then I probably still wouldn’t have gotten my mammogram. I was putting it off because I didn’t have “time.”

I didn’t realize the importance of a mammogram because I thought I would never get breast cancer because I’ve been healthy my entire life.

After my diagnosis, I then got tested to see if I’m a carrier of the BRCA gene. I found out a month later that I was positive for BRCA1 mutation. I then decided to get a double mastectomy, oophorectomy, DIEP flap procedure reconstruction all the same day, which was August 28, 2014.

I then had chemo treatments from 10/3/2014 through 1/15/2015. The first treatment was extremely difficult; however the remaining treatment went much easier as my body adjusted to the chemo.

Even though this journey has been very difficult, it’s been the best thing that’s ever happened to me because it changed my entire outlook on life. I found out just how strong I was and was able to beat cancer.

Ladies, I can’t stress enough the importance of getting your mammograms at age 40. If you notice that it runs in your family, talk to your doctor about getting your mammogram much sooner. It could save your life!

HealthNet’s Mammography Fund provides coverage for Indianapolis women in need of mammograms. Donate online today at www.indyhealthnet.org/Donate.

Pregnancy can be hard on the body.  In order to compensate for the growing baby, a woman’s blood volume increases, her hormones shift and she must compensate for the extra weight she is carrying in her belly.  Our bodies are pretty amazing, and they do a good job of compensating, but sometimes this can cause us to feel more tired, nauseated and sore.  Although we consider these things “normal,” it does not mean that we should accept these things without question.  Below, I’ve listed some tips that could make this time more comfortable and enjoyable.

Body Mechanics
Body mechanics is a term that describes how we use our bodies for daily activities.  We tend to want to move with the least amount of effort whenever possible.  This ability is great most of the time as it helps us to multitask. Without this ability, we would not be able to coordinate breathing, thinking, processing, using muscles, etc.  The problem with this is that we often ignore important muscle groups that need to be used in order to conserve energy.  If we don’t move muscles, they do not get stretched or strengthened.  Over time, the muscles become weak and they are not much good to us.  This can lead to injury too.

My challenge to you is to become aware of your movements. 

During pregnancy, it is especially important to be aware of your movements.  Your growing belly is already prone to putting strain your back and other ligaments that normally you would not be aware of.  Poor body mechanics can lead to muscle strain and while most of the time this is not a harm to the pregnancy, it can make for an uncomfortable mommy.

One of the main complaints I hear from patients is round ligament pain.  The round ligaments hold up the uterus in the front of the body.  As the uterus grows quickly during pregnancy, the round ligaments also stretch quickly.  Preventing injury is key.  Slow position changes and paying attention to your movements can help keep you comfortable.  For example, when you get out of bed in the morning, try rolling to your side, sitting up, putting your feet on the ground and then standing, rather than making this one swift movement.  Good posture will also help by taking some of the weight off of the ligaments and putting it on muscles that are more capable of bearing the weight, if properly strengthened.  This brings me to my next point.

Sit up!
I know I probably sound like your grandmother, but I’m sorry to say, she was right.  For some reason, we like to slouch.  Like I mentioned before, we don’t like to engage a lot of muscle groups so we hold ourselves up with the least amount of effort.  Good posture helps engage the muscle groups throughout your torso.  It might not be comfortable in the beginning but once the core is strengthened, it will help you hold up your growing belly without as much strain.  As the pregnancy goes on, this practice might also help you to breathe with more ease.  Good posture opens up the chest and gives your lungs more room to expand and baby more room to do her thing.  Try sitting on the floor whenever possible or on a chair without a back.  This will encourage you to sit up and use your core muscles as opposed to sitting on a fluffy chair or couch that does all of the work.  You can also try sitting on an exercise/birthing ball.  This will encourage good posture and help you as you train for your labor day!

Try squatting
Have you ever watched little kids that have recently learned to walk?  Their ability to squat is amazing.  Once again, this is an activity that we have replaced with a seemingly easier activity we call bending. Somewhere between 12 months and 12 years old, we seem to lose this important movement.  I’m sure the majority of us have been told to lift with our legs and not with our backs, which of course requires squatting, so we know this is an important movement, but alas, we bend…and strain.

Squatting is especially beneficial in pregnancy as it stretches the muscle groups that facilitate delivery of the baby.  Your pelvic floor muscles are about to be stretched more than they ever have before.  These muscles were made to do this, but healthy muscles stretch easier.  Think about a rubber band. A rubber band with good elasticity is going to go back to its original size and shape much easier than a rubber band that has lost its elasticity.

Join a prenatal yoga class
A yoga class is a great way to stretch and practice moving your body in healthy ways.  These poses can also help to strengthen your muscles.  Yoga is great for super athletes as well as beginners.  Group classes are also good for people who need a little extra motivation and support.   A structured class is also a good place to practice new movements in the correct way to avoid injury.

For more information on HealthNet’s Women’s Services, visit www.indyhealthnet.org.

Did you know January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month? Honor Cervical Cancer Awareness Month by educating yourself on cervical cancer and how you can help protect yourself. HealthNet Certified Nurse Midwife, Carrie Bonsack teaches you everything you need to know about cervical cancer and answers some of the most common questions!

A pap smear is a test used to screen for cervical cancer. Many of you have had a pap smear every year since you were a teenager. Well, those days are over. It’s a new year and time for celebration that we are all done with yearly pap smears!  Some women are worried and feel they need a test every year, but let me reassure you that you do not need a pap smear every year.  Read on to find more about pap smears, HPV, and the importance of an annual “well woman” exam.

Why do I no longer get a Pap smear test every year with my annual exam?

In March of 2012, new pap screening guidelines were developed by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the American Cancer Society, American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, American Society for Clinical Pathology (ACS/ASCCP/ASCP) based upon the woman’s age.  Basically, all of these organizations looked at research evidence and found that women do not need yearly pap smears and here is why:

• Cervical cancer is rare, especially in young women.
• Precancerous cells are caused by HPV and it will go away in most young healthy women.
• Testing for cervical cancer may lead to more treatment (more tests, more biopsies, and more surgeries) than necessary and may be doing more harm than good.
• Over treatment may lead to unnecessary short-term anxiety or concern.
• Over treatment may lead to pain, bleeding, or vaginal discharge after certain procedures.
• Over treatment may lead to problems with future pregnancies such as preterm birth and low birth weight babies.
  (Moyer, 2012)

When do I start getting screened for cervical cancer?

A woman should begin having a pap smear at the age of 21. Women between the ages of 21-29 should have a pap smear every three years. Women ages 30-65 should have either a pap only every three years or pap with HPV screening every five years. Women under the age of 21 should not have a pap.  (USPSTF/ACS/ASCCP/ASCP, 2012)

When do I stop getting screened for cervical cancer?

If you are age 65 and have had three negative pap smears in a row or two negative pap with HPV tests within ten years, or have no history of CIN 2 within the past twenty years, then you can stop having pap smears. (USPSTF/ACS/ASCCP/ASCP, 2012)

What is Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection among both men and women. HPV more commonly infects the genital area, but can also infect the mouth or throat. Nearly everyone who is sexually active will get HPV at some point in his or her lifetime because it is so common. Around 90% of HPV infections can clear on their own within two years.  There are over 100 different types of HPV and some can cause genital warts and certain cancers, such as cervical cancer.  (CDC, 2013)

 Can I prevent HPV?

HPV vaccines can help prevent certain types of HPV, and are available and recommended for 11 and 12 year old boys and girls. Gardasil, an HPV vaccine, is available for males and females. Cervarix is available for females. Women, men, boys and girls between the ages of 13 and 26 can also get these vaccines if they did not get it when they were younger. The HPV vaccines are a series of three shots given over a six-month period.  Condoms can help protect against HPV when used from start to finish of the sex act, however, HPV can infect areas not covered by a condom.  Limiting your number of sex partners can decrease your risk of sexually transmitted infections. (CDC, 2013)

Getting your annual exam is critical, and we want Indianapolis to know that we give a care about women’s health!

In a light-hearted approach to a serious issue, HealthNet’s Whatever you call ‘em, check ‘em breast cancer awareness campaign  encourages women to get their annual breast exam. Seriously, there’s nothing more important taking care of your girls!

What do YOU call ‘em?

If you’re one of our Facebook fans, check out our fun list of names on our Facebook page. Feel free to submit your own entry.

The steps are easy, and in joining this fun conversation, you are showing your community that you give a care!

1. Go to our Facebook page
2. Submit or vote for your favorite name.
3. Encourage your friends to vote for your entry or include their own!
4. Tweet it, blog it, email it, and share it!

Women who are uninsured are less likely to be screened for breast cancer, increasing their risks of dying from this preventable disease.  As a community, we give a care about women’s health and the importance of annual screening mammograms. Helps us spread the word! Together we can build a healthier Indianapolis community!

HAVE FUN WITH US!!

WHATEVER YOU CALL ‘EM, LET US KNOW!

MAKE SURE YOU CHECK ‘EM!

AND HELP US BREAK DOWN THE BARRIERS FOR WOMEN WHO MAY NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO GET REGULARLY SCREENED!

Of course, mom will be thrilled and admire the beauty and scent of the flowers for a few days but then what? This year, why not consider giving her a gift that will not wilt, not lose its color and not need to be thrown away in a week. This year, why not consider giving her a gift of life – for someone else. For the cost of a bouquet of flowers, you could make a $25 contribution to HealthNet’s Mammography Program to assist uninsured women living in poverty receive access to life-saving preventative screenings.

When it comes to women’s health, a gift of $25 helps ensure that a woman who can’t afford a mammogram will get one. It helps create a community of support and a place to turn for questions when an inner-city woman finds out she has breast cancer. A gift of $25 gives us the ability to provide tools that enable girls and women to become better health advocates. This gift changes everything.

Consider making a gift to HealthNet in honor or in memory of all the moms in your life. We all know the value of access to health care services, and I know that many of you care deeply about women’s health issues. So this Mother’s Day, when you’re contemplating which bouquet of flowers to buy, consider honoring your mom with a gift to HealthNet.

Click to make your $25 donation online or send a check by mail to HealthNet.  With each donation, we’re on our way to changing Indy. Let’s make our city a healthier place for moms everywhere!

Other suggestions on how to make a difference?  Have a fun Mother’s Day story?  Comment below.  Keep the conversation going!!

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Want to keep up-to-date with HealthNet’s efforts to improve access to health care in Indy? Friend, follow and find out more!

On May 8, nearly 140 million Mother’s Day cards will be exchanged in the United States. Most of these cards cost between $4 and $5!

Now imagine what would happen if you donate that five dollars to your favorite Indy non-profit in honor of Mom. We could CHANGE our city for the better!

But wait…you may be wondering how five dollars can change anything. When it comes to women’s health, five dollars helps ensure that a woman who can’t afford a mammogram will get one. Five dollars helps create a community of support and a place to turn for questions when an inner-city woman finds out she has breast cancer. Five dollars gives us the ability to provide tools that enable girls and women to become better health advocates. Five dollars changes everything.

Consider making a gift to HealthNet in honor or in memory of all the moms in your life. And if you’re thinking a $5 donation doesn’t make a difference, think again. If every one of our blog readers, e-newsletter subscribers, Twitter followers and Facebook supporters made a $5 donation in honor of their mom or loved one this Mother’s Day, we’d raise more than $20,000 for early breast cancer detection and awareness for women in need. That’s right — $20,000.

We all know the value of access to health care services, and I know that many of you care deeply about women’s health issues. So this Mother’s Day, when you’re contemplating which card to buy, honor your mom with a gift to HealthNet.

With every $5 donation, we’re on our way to changing Indy. Let’s make our city a healthier place for moms everywhere!

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Want to keep up-to-date with HealthNet’s efforts to improve access to health care in Indy? Friend, follow and find out more!

I had complete strangers rubbing my head!

Paula Jacobs, HealthNet’s 67-member team captain at the 2011 Central Indiana Race for the Cure and 5-year breast cancer survivor, tells her story. 

“I’m the first one to talk about my experience,” said the energetic women’s health nurse. “I want to share my story to help others.” Awareness and prevention efforts are very near and dear to her heart.

Paula - her hair is back, but her story sticks with everyone she encounters.

Like many women, Paula discovered she had breast cancer by accident.  One morning, she noticed a change in her breast while taking a shower. She knew something wasn’t right, and called her doctor right away.

Results from screening and diagnostic mammograms were inconclusive. After a follow-up ultrasound, however, doctors spotted the golf ball-sized lump.

A week later, Paula had surgery and began chemotherapy. Thanks to the support of family, friends and co-workers, she was able to continue working throughout her treatment.

Paula says she learned many life lessons on her journey back to health.

“The first time I looked in the mirror and there was no hair there, I freaked,” she said. “I thought, ‘I am not a whole person.’ Then I just rubbed my head, and thought, everybody’s going to rub the head. I’m ok. I’m alive. I can teach.”

After that, Paula knew how to put others at ease. “When I would catch someone staring at me, I would point to my head and say, ‘Breast cancer – now rub the head!’ I had complete strangers rubbing my head. It put a smile on their face because they knew that I was ok with it,” she said.

As a nurse, Paula shares her story daily with women at HealthNet’s community health centers. She knows, first hand, that uninsured women are less likely to be screened for breast cancer, increasing their risk of dying from the disease by 20%.

“When patients tell me they don’t have the money to have a mammogram done or to have treatments, I sit down with them and explain that there are ways to do this. You HAVE to stay healthy. You have to take care of YOU,” she said.

“Many of our patients remember what I went through. They had to ‘rub the head’ too. Now when they come in for their check-ups, they are the first to tell me that they’ve had their mammograms!”

These success stories encourage her. And, she is vigilant in reminding folks to keep up with their self-exams and mammograms.

“I explain to them, you don’t have to be 50. You can be 20.  You can be 15, you can be 65. Every female and every male is susceptible to breast cancer.  So it’s really important to get regular screenings and to check out any lump or bump you may have,” she said.

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HealthNet cares for nearly 20,000 women each year, many of whom live at or below the federal poverty level. With your help, we hope to overcome the cultural, social, educational and financial barriers that prevent women from getting screened and receiving life-saving treatment. Here’s how you can help! If you or someone you know needs direction to the first step in getting regular screenings click here to find our nearest health center to you!

Maggie hard at work!

Before Maggie was born, her maternal grandmother passed away from breast cancer. It was during the late 1960s when technology was not as sophisticated as it is today and, unfortunately, her condition was misdiagnosed. So, Maggie grew up well aware of the risks women face and decided to pursue a career helping those women who may not know the risks or have the knowledge to pursue prevention.

“Most women are nervous and scared to get a mammogram. I take great pride in knowing that I am here to help put them at ease,” – Maggie stated when asked about helping women get screened.

Maggie joined HealthNet because she was most interested in being able to perform both radiological and mammography exams. “Most places make you choose one or the other, so I am excited that I have the opportunity to care for two special areas of need.” She believes that providing compassionate care and making the patient feel comfortable builds a trust that will increase the success rate of them returning for future exams.

“I am also passionate about providing this valuable service to the underinsured and uninsured – everyone deserves quality care.”

Many women who are uninsured may not seek out a mammogram for fear that if there is something wrong…what would happen next? How would they pay for a diagnostic exam if their screening came back showing a concern? At HealthNet, providing life-saving mammogram screenings is vital to ensuring our patients are getting the best care possible – regardless of their ability to pay. Maggie’s sense of compassion and trusting nature put patients at ease. “I know how important it is to have a mammogram. Helping people get the screenings they need, to potentially save their lives, is what my job is all about.”

Learn more about HealthNet’s locations, refer a friend or a family member to pursuit a mammogram, and feel free to call any of our locations to hear about the options offered at HealthNet.

If you would like to donate a simple $25 to help someone afford mammography assistance, here is how.

“In my world, I think most people think the word cancer means death,” Irene said when talking about her experience.

After discovering the lump, her next step was to call her daughter, who then set up an appointment for an exam.  Through HealthNet’s Mammography Assistance Program, Irene was referred to Methodist Hospital to get a mammogram.

Uninsured women are less likely to be screened for breast cancer, causing their risk of dying from the disease to increase by 20%.

Rosa Alcazar with her mother Irene Lopez

Irene was lucky.  Her aunt had battled with breast cancer before, so she was in the habit of performing self-examinations and getting regular screenings and mammograms.

HealthNet was just the beginning of the journey for Ms. Lopez, and it was the relationship between our health centers and local hospitals that eventually led to her recovery. After speaking with Rosa and being referred to Methodist Hospital for her mammogram, Irene’s biopsy was also done at Methodist, further tests were done with an oncologist, her surgery was done at Wishard, and Irene’s 30 radiation treatments were done at Indiana University Hospital.

“I was very scared, but I had a lot of signs telling me that everything was going to be okay.  All of the support from the doctors, nurses, and staff, people who didn’t even know me helped me so much.“

Irene spoke about how she felt it was important for her to tell her story and to give her testimony so that others can learn from her experience.  The reality is that most patients who visit community health centers are low-income and may even be living in poverty which can only add to the stress of going through a difficult battle with cancer.  Many low-income women must choose between caring for themselves by getting regular screenings or getting regular check-ups for their children.

But HealthNet can help.

Irene was asked what she would say to any woman that may be starting their OWN journey with breast cancer, and her answer was this:

“Don’t be afraid.  Sometimes it feels like the world is shutting down, but if you look around, there are many doors that are opening.  Don’t ever lose faith in the doctors, nurses, or staff who are treating you, and with the support from your friends and family, you can make it through!”

Make a donation today that may help a woman in need gain access to a mammogram, visit our website and refer someone who needs direction to begin regular screenings, or simply spread the word on the importance of regular check-ups and mammograms.  Together, we can break down ALL barriers keeping women from staying healthy.

What about the thousands of women that do not have insurance?

There are also studies showing that uninsured women are less likely to be screened for breast cancer, causing their risk of dying from the disease to increase by 20%. But it is not just the limited access to quality care or the unavailability of insurance that prevents low-income women from receiving mammogram screenings. Cultural, social and educational barriers often times prevent these women from getting screened and receiving life-saving treatment. HealthNet is here to make sure those statistics change.

A breast health campaign that was recently launched,  called “Whatever you call’em, check’em”, sent postcards in both English and Spanish to 1,239 women living in our service areas. The mailing featured funny “names” that people call breasts but emphasized the serious message about the importance of a mammogram screening. The combination of “light heartedness” and the call to action worked! HealthNet received an overwhelming number of uninsured women calling to schedule appointments and get on track to better breast health.

You can help us further our work by donating $25 that can help provide a mammogram for a woman living at or below the federal poverty level.