Article for July, 2007

Sister Study: Stories about Breast Cancer

The Sister Study is conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), of the U.S. DHHS with additional funding from the NIH’s National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities. Studying women whose sisters had breast cancer is a great way to learn why some women get the disease, while other don’t. The study will look at how things in our homes, workplaces, and communities may affect our chanc es of getting The Sister Study Fifty thousand women, ages 35-74, from all walks of life, will join this landmark research effort to find causes of cancer.

Below are the tales from women who are participating in the study and their stories of battle, survival, and courage and their goal to beat breast cancer once and for all.

This story you are about to read is about three Latina sisters, their love for life, faith and “familia.” I have witnessed my sisters’ difficult journeys in the fight for life against breast cancer. They have demonstrated strength and courage through the darkest of times. As they traveled their journey they have empowered me and those around us. This is our story.

My name is Geri Ximenez; I am forty-two years old and one of seven siblings and the youngest of three sisters. My sister Elizabeth was diagnosed with Stage I breast cancer at the age of forty-nine in 1999. This was detected during her annual mammogram. In early 2003 my eldest sister Molly was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer at the age of fifty-four. I am now at high risk in having breast cancer. Prior to my sisters’ diagnoses there had been no history of breast cancer in our family.

Elizabeth underwent a radical mastectomy of the right breast in 1999. Due to other complications, the doctors advised against any chemotherapy, radiation, or hormone therapy. Within a year of her cancer diagnosis Elizabeth went in for her annual mammogram that revealed cancer on her left breast and she had her breast removed. Within fourteen months of her original date of diagnosis, she endured extensive medical tests and seven surgeries.

Through her journey she was strengthened by the love and support of her husband and family. Her strong faith and the belief in the power of prayer has resulted in her approaching the celebration of five cancer-free years.

Molly, my eldest sister’s annual mammograms showed no abnormalities. In mid-October of 2002 Molly began feeling twitches of pain in her left breast and was feeling slightly fatigued. By November she started experiencing severe dizziness and the twitches became intensified by piercing pain. When Molly was examined by her primary doctor, at first he stated her symptoms were probably work-related stress. When Molly returned for her follow-up visit the doctor discovered several lumps. In February 2003, the mammogram and needle biopsies came back with shocking results showing Stage III breast cancer. Molly required a radical mastectomy of the left breast, and based on Elizabeth ’s history of breast cancer, she had the right breast removed. A month after the mastectomy Molly underwent intense chemotherapy treatments, radiation, and reconstruction surgery. She is currently on hormone treatment.

As Molly endured the various stages of treatments she continued to worship God and glorify Him as she took each step into the unknown. She walks in faith. She found that this was a great opportunity to reach out to those traveling the same journey. During treatments, she became a volunteer for the American Cancer Society as a Legislative Ambassador, and she volunteers for nonprofit organizations on health-related issues. Her mission is to be an advocate for Latinos and lift the wings of newly diagnosed patients as they begin their cancer journey, guiding them as they navigate through the language and cultural barriers that may lie before them. Her volunteer efforts now include spreading the word to other Latinas about the Sister Study, and encouraging them to join.

We discovered that language and cultural barriers exist. There is a need to enhance outreach efforts not only to the Latino population but to the non-English speaking and under served populations as well. We found that there were not sufficient breast cancer statistics among Latinas. This is why research studies and Latina participation is so critical.

The Sister Study is a wonderful tool in helping find answers to what in our environment and in our genes may be causing breast cancer. This is an important study for the benefit of future generations. Through the sorrow and feeling of helplessness there is hope. Through the suffering and the healing we can empower others, educate, bring about change and raise awareness.

We are proud to be a part of the Sister Study, for me as a participant and for my sisters as voices spreading the word to other Latinas.

Sinceramente, Molly, Elizabeth and Geri Ximenez

 It's amazing how quickly your world can change in a moment. In March 2003 my sister Susan called me and said, “Bad news, I have breast cancer”. At the same time our country had just gone to war, suddenly it felt like our family had its own personal war to fight. With my background as a nurse, together we studied more about the disease. We realized Susan's cancer was very serious, but she refused to sit around feeling sorry for herself. Her positive outlook was remarkable!

Susan's focus was to maximize her odds for a cure. After we read through literally hundreds of medical research articles and sought second opinions, Susan selected a treatment course in a promising clinical trial. To improve her chances, Susan was determined not to miss any treatments in the lengthy trial and she did it! I have no doubt that her strength of mind and ability to advocate for herself had a major impact on her recovery.

Only one year apart in age, Susan and I have always been very close. Watching her go through a year and a half of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and reconstructive surgery, I was continually amazed at the courage and grace she maintained. She has also been a tremendous help to many other breast cancer patients. Susan is always willing to share what she has learned, and to show others how they can advocate for themselves. I truly admire my sister.

This experience opened my eyes to all of the exciting research underway to find ways to prevent or cure breast cancer. When Susan sent me an email about the Sister Study, I was eager to participate. The study is very comprehensive and carefully designed. I am confident that by the end of this study vital information will be uncovered about the effect of environment, genes, and lifestyle on the risk for breast cancer. The findings from this research may enable us to prevent new cases of breast cancer in the future! With an ambitious goal of recruiting 50,000 participants, those of us who are eligible are needed to participate and everyone can help by spreading the news of the Sister Study. Let's all do what we can to put an end to breast cancer!

Wanda’s Story

By Tina, a Sister Study participant from North Carolina

One day in April, after my sister returned from a trip, she called to inform me that she had discovered a lump under her left arm. She made an appointment to have it checked out and after two weeks, my sister had confirmation that it was in fact breast cancer. We discussed the treatment recommended by her doctor. At that time, I was the strong and supportive sister. Once I hung up the phone, I began to wonder will I have to take care of her, will my 2 nephews come to live with me or go live with their father, are my sister’s affairs in order? We had been through this with our mother who had been diagnosed with colon cancer. Our lives changed rapidly in order to provide the care our mother needed in the months before she passed.

I started to think of how similar our health issues are, the things we share. We were both being monitored for colon cancer. I didn’t know what to expect but I did know that I would be there for her. My sister was a trooper. She kept her head up and maintained a positive attitude. She used humor to deal with the hard things like the loss of her hair. We began to increase our phone calls and had a few more visits than in the past. I reassured my sister of how proud I was of her and how beautiful she is. Wanda has completed her chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Her hair is growing back and she has regained her figure. My sister is very active in her local chapter of Sisters Network, Inc.

I became involved in the Sister Study at the invitation of my sister. Wanda cares enough about me and other women, that she would like to ensure that all women are aware of the importance of prevention, treatment and cure. We talk about the need for women to know that breast cancer can be hereditary, that early detection is vital through breast self-examination and regular mammograms. This research is especially important for women of color, be they Black, Hispanic, Native American or Asian. There is not enough information about minority women so we are unsure of what to do, afraid of not understanding what the doctor is telling us and we infrequently participate in research studies. Breast cancer doesn’t have to be a death sentence. The more researchers know, the better they can predict and or prevent this from affecting so many women. Sisters have a common bond in their genetic make-up. The Sister Study enables researchers to look at the environmental and genetic issues which may contribute to the development of breast cancer. This research is only beneficial if they have committed participants. I invite you to get involved not only for yourself, but for generations of women to come.

Current as of June 2007