Breast cancer survivor stresses importance of not putting off mammogram

Breast cancer survivor Melissa Luton is thankful for many things, especially for Hendrick Health coworkers who told her not to cancel her mammogram in May 2023 because of a work event.

“My wonderful work family had said, ‘We got this. We can take care of this event. You need to go ahead and take care of that and make that a priority,’” said Luton, community outreach manager for Hendrick Hospice Care. “And, thank goodness for me, I did do that.”

Because her mom and an aunt are breast cancer survivors, Luton took precautions. She had genetic testing, which showed she was at high risk for developing the disease. That made her a candidate for annual breast MRI and mammogram screenings, six months apart.
Just six months after a normal breast MRI in late 2022, the mammogram that she almost cancelled detected an anomaly. An ultrasound and biopsy soon followed. Then came a phone call from a nurse navigator at Hendrick Breast Institute to explain the results.

In half a year, Luton had developed a 6-millimeter cancerous tumor. Despite a lifelong career in healthcare, Luton was not prepared for the diagnosis.

“As soon as she started talking, I absolutely went blank,” said Luton. “Shock sets in. Being afraid sets in. Fear sets in really quickly.”

Once she digested the news, Luton swiftly pivoted to, “Now what?” Initial guidance came from the nurse navigator.

“She walked me through everything,” said Luton.

That support from a nurse navigator continued throughout her treatment journey.

“I knew the navigators were wonderful, but I was not prepared for the comfort that they brought to me and the act of kindness that they shared,” said Luton.

Her husband also was by her side every step of the way.

“My husband actually made friends with other husbands that were waiting for their spouses while they were doing treatment,” said Luton.

Her treatment team included hematologist/oncologist Jose Vega, MD, surgeon John Cole, DO, and radiation oncologist Brent Mahoney, MD, all with Hendrick Clinic. Detecting the tumor at such a small size gave Luton many options.

She elected to undergo a lumpectomy, which is a surgical procedure to remove the tumor while preserving much of the surrounding healthy breast tissue. Next came brachytherapy at Hendrick Cancer Center, which involved inserting a SAVI® Brachy catheter in the breast’s tumor cavity. Twice a day for five days, radioactive seeds were placed temporarily in the catheter to destroy residual cancer cells.

Three months after the mammogram detected Luton’s tumor, Dr. Vega informed her she was in remission.

“If anyone could take anything away from my story, it’s how important early detection is, and knowing that these services are available to anyone in our community,” said Luton.

In sharing her story of the importance of not canceling her mammogram, Luton is gratified to know that other women have booked an appointment for the life-saving screening.

Before her diagnosis, Luton had participated in the Bunco for Breast Cancer to benefit The Hope Fund by Hendrick Health, which helps pay for mammograms for women with financial barriers. Now that Luton is in remission, the annual October event, which coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, is a deeply meaningful experience to share with her friends and to support other survivors.

Although she is a 26-year veteran Hendrick Health employee, Luton saw the healthcare system in a new way as a breast cancer patient.

“I’ve grown up here in Abilene, and I’ve raised my family in Abilene, and it brings so much comfort to me to know that what I have represented for 26 years now, utilizing it on the other side, that it just brings me so much joy to know that I had the support of these services that made me all better,” said Luton.