“This Kind of Thing Doesn’t Happen to Me.” Oregon Functional Medicine Provider Shares Her Breast Cancer Story

As humans, it is normal to have an “us and them” mentality, especially when it comes to cancer. “Cancer happens to other people, not me,” is a common thought, but as many quickly learn, not reality.

OnePeak Medical provider Vanessa Darnell, MSN, FNP-C, boldly shares her own breast cancer story, one she thought she would never have to tell after years of supporting patients through their diagnosis and subsequent treatment.

“I had no family history of breast cancer, and I had no symptoms before being diagnosed, so I didn’t think it could or would happen to me,” said Vanessa.

But after a routine screening mammogram, something she advises every patient to get annually or biannually, depending on their history and risk, Vanessa became one of the millions diagnosed globally every year with breast cancer.

“The biopsy found that my specific type of breast cancer was ER-PR-positive, HER2-negative, indicating it was hormone-driven,” said Vanessa.

ER-positive breast cancers have estrogen receptors, and PR-positive breast cancers have progesterone receptors. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 3 of 4 breast cancers have at least one of these receptors. The good news is that this type of breast cancer tends to grow more slowly and can be treated with hormone therapy drugs that lower hormone levels or block estrogen (or progesterone) receptors.

Then there are hormone receptor-negative breast cancers, which means they have no estrogen or progesterone receptors, and hormone therapy treatment is not helpful. This type of breast cancer also tends to grow faster and most often occurs in women who have not yet gone through menopause.

“Triple-negative breast cancer cells don’t have estrogen or progesterone receptors,” said Vanessa. “They also don’t make any or much of a protein called HER2. Triple-negative breast cancer tends to be more aggressive with fewer treatment options.”

Vanessa underwent a lumpectomy on her right breast and received radiation, followed by medication to suppress the hormones. Fast forward four years, and she remains cancer-free. However, like anyone who has had cancer, the emotional impact and fear of recurrence are ongoing challenges.

“The hardest part for most people with breast cancer is the treatment,” said Vanessa. “Radiation makes you not want to eat, and the medications that are often prescribed can cause joint and bone pain. The best thing I can do is support the patient throughout the journey in any way that may be beneficial.”

Vanessa shares that there is often an assumption that after having breast cancer and being in remission that life just goes on.

“There is a lot of emotional stuff that goes on that impacts a person’s mental health,” said Vanessa. “The fear of cancer returning never truly goes away.”

She adds that the scars left on the body are a constant reminder of a battle fought and hopefully won. The emotional toll that cancer has on a person and their family can be detrimental without support. Vanessa recommends seeing a therapist to help work through some of the feelings that are so common with a breast cancer diagnosis. But therapy isn’t just for the patient. The family is also impacted by cancer, albeit indirectly, and mental health support can be pretty therapeutic.

A common symptom after surviving breast cancer is to become a fervent activist in increasing breast cancer awareness. As a primary care and functional medicine provider in Roseburg, OR, Vanessa has had her share of conversations with cancer patients. Now, however, she doesn’t hesitate to share her story if it can prevent someone from going through what she went through.

“Many people are concerned about radiation exposure from a mammogram and opt out of getting them,” said Vanessa. “I had no symptoms or family history, and I got breast cancer. Thankfully, because I got routine screenings, it was caught early, and the treatment was not as aggressive as it could have been.”

There are some other things that Vanessa recommends to help lower the chance of developing breast or any other cancer. Some of these include:

  1. Eat a healthy diet with fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. Vanessa suggests the Mediterranean diet as a great option.
  2. Exercise every day.
  3. Limit alcohol as it can contribute to cancer.
  4. Reduce stress in your life as it can cause changes in the body at the cellular level.
  5. Avoid plastics – specifically BPA and PFAS.
  6. Limit or avoid microwaving food, and never microwave in a plastic container; use glass instead.
  7. Get screened every two years or annually if there is a family history or high risk.

Vanessa also recommends an MRI screening for some high-risk patients with dense breast tissue. And let’s not forget the importance of monthly self-breast exams. Although Vanessa recognizes that many women don’t know what they are feeling for, which can cause more anxiety.

“Sometimes a partner will find it quicker than the woman themselves,” said Vanessa.

Nonetheless, doing self-breast exams shouldn’t be overlooked. If anything concerning is discovered, she recommends doing a breast exam every day for a few days, as breast tissue can cause temporary hormone-related lumps. If the concerning spot remains, she advises patients to come in so she can check them before ordering a screening mammogram, which may be unnecessary.

With better awareness and preventative measures taken, fewer women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. If you are due for a physical or a mammogram, please get in touch with your provider to get scheduled. As always, if you have any questions about breast cancer or anything else, we’re here to help. Give us a call so we can. 

Posted in