Breast Cancer Survivor Shares How First Mammogram Led to Early Detection
Karrie Garry didn’t expect a breast cancer diagnosis after her first mammogram at age 40. But then she got the call.
It led to a treatment plan guided by a team of clinicians. Garry shares her treatment process with Avera, why she decided a double mastectomy was the best answer and how genetic testing helped her make the decision.
Want specific information on Karrie's treatment? Click the video chapters below:
Her first mammogram found a subtle finding, but it turned out to be breast cancer. Garry explains the many feelings those first weeks after diagnosis.
A team of specialists from all areas of treatment created a personalized treatment based on her type of cancer and what her tumor looked like.
Meeting with a genetic cancer helped Garry answer the question of, "Why did this happen" at age 40? She had a rare mutation: NBN. Garry explains how this influenced her decisions.
A double mastectomy was a big decision as a 40-year-old woman. But for Garry, it was important to know she did everything to stop the cancer.
Her cancer was what her doctor called a "red herring" because it figured out how to spread before it figured out how to grow.
This process helped Garry keep her most of hair during chemo treatment.
With chemo done, Garry was on to the next phase of putting in her permanent implants with reconstruction surgery. This gave Garry a sense of normalcy.
There's a risk of recurrence for Garry, so screenings will continue.
Schedule your mammogram.
