2005 Press Releases
Rome Memorial Hospital Lead Mammographer Shares Her Story The City of Rome’s Breast Cancer Awareness Day Event Will Be both Inspirational and Informational ROME –When Rome Memorial Hospital lead mammographer Desiree Edgar speaks at the City of Rome’s Breast Cancer Awareness Day event on October 18th, she will share her story about why it’s important to get regular mammography and paps smear screenings. Edgar is a cervical cancer survivor. Her grandmother passed away from breast cancer. For her, it’s more than clinical. It’s personal. The event, which begins at 11 a.m. and will be held at the Rome Train Station, is a collaboration of the City of Rome, Rome Memorial Hospital and the Healthy Women’s Partnership. “If I hadn’t gone for my paps smear, I wouldn’t be here today because I didn’t show symptoms,” she said. Edgar was diagnosed at age 30 while in her last semester at SUNY Health Science Center School of Radiography, studying to become a radiologic technologist. “Ironically, I entered school with the goal of helping people like my grandmother,” she said. Edgar’s doctor calls her his “miracle child” because she had an aggressive form of cervical cancer that is not normally found in someone at such a young age. “I was a Stage Three, almost a Stage Four,” she said. “I found out later that the survival rate is 40%.” Edgar became a “woman’s health advocate because, unfortunately, too many women have become complacent with getting their screenings — both mammography and paps smear. I am living proof that you can’t be complacent. If you do not get regular screenings, you are gambling with your health,” she said. The statistics back up Edgar’s words. One of every three women will get cancer in their lifetime. In 2004, 213,910 new breast cancer cases were diagnosed. These statistics all point in the same direction – get regular screenings, watch your diet, cut down on stress and exercise for 20 minutes a day, 5 days a week. “The experience of having cancer has definitely made me more sensitive to patients’ feelings,” she said. “It makes me even more diligent in treating them with tender loving care as they receive their mammograms because I know the trauma of going through my own experience. It not only affects you physically, but mentally – it affects your self worth. When I share my story, it allows women to say, ‘she knows what it’s like to go through the emotional and physical trauma of treatment and recovery.’” Edgar said that a woman’s identity is tied to their physical being, so it’s very important to address all aspects – the physical, mental and emotional. “It is not one-dimensional by any means,” she said. “I give women hope because I am a survivor. I am going on 9 years. Because you are diagnosed with cancer doesn’t mean your life is over.” She also shares her story with patients because it shakes them up. “It shakes people out of complacency and wakes them up to reality that no one is safe. You have to realize the importance of having both a paps smear and mammography screenings. Having one test done is just not enough.” Edgar is involved with the Healthy Women’s Partnership, a Department of Health program geared towards providing mammography and paps smear screenings for women who are unable to afford them in the tri-county area of Herkimer, Oneida and Madison. “I attend meetings to further Rome Memorial Hospital’s working relationship with them and to also make sure that patients get the best possible care. I also help ensure that the paperwork is submitted correctly so that the billing process goes smoothly,” she said. Edgar is a 17-year Navy veteran, petty officer first class, who served as a medic. She joined the Rome Memorial Hospital staff in 2002 and became the hospital’s lead mammographer in 2005 because of her “leadership capabilities and work ethic and dedication,” according to Medical Imaging Department Director Brian James. Edgar resides in Verona with husband, Tom. She has a daughter, Amethyst, and son, Dakota. When asked how having cancer affects her outlook on life, Edgar said, “I have a family, I have work and I love life. So I refuse to let my life be ruled by the fear of reoccurrence. I have made a conscious choice to live life.” “I think the City of Rome’s Breast Cancer Awareness Day will get the word out about the importance of mammography screenings – that they are your best protection,” she said. “By the mayor drawing attention to this topic and devoting a special day to the cause, he is showing that he is making it important to our community. He is joining all of us together to make a statement about a very important topic that can save lives.” The Breast Cancer Awareness Day event will begin with an introduction by Mayor James Brown and then Edgar, Mohawk Valley Radiation Medicine Director Amy Weakley, a representative from the Cancer Survivors’ Group, and Dr. Beth Bulawa will also speak. Information on breast cancer awareness will be available and Seven Petals Wellness Incorporated will offer chair massages at $1 per minute. Free refreshments will be served. There will be a free raffle for a relaxation basket. The American Cancer Society has designated October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 2005 marks more than 20 years that National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) has educated women about early breast cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment. This year, NBCAM is again reaching out to women with several key messages, most notably, the importance of early detection through annual mammography screening for women over 40. When coupled with new treatment options, mammography screenings can significantly improve a woman's chances of survival. | 