I am a breast cancer survivor and am living proof that screenings and treatment save lives

Spring and summer tend to be busy times for people, but it is more important than ever to keep up with your physical health and check in with loved ones.

While October spotlights breast cancer awareness and holds our primary Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Nashville event, our commitment to raising funds and awareness extends throughout the year.

According to the American Cancer Society, when breast cancer is detected early and is in the localized stage, the five-year relative survival rate is 99%.

Year-round outreach can encourage individuals to schedule regular check-ups and take consistent prevention steps, increasing the likelihood of early detection.

I am a part of this statistic; at the age of 37, I was diagnosed with stage 2 HER2+ positive breast cancer. Walking into my first mammogram, I never thought I would receive the news that it was abnormal.

Upon receiving this information, I took a genetic test that revealed a positive result for ATM, a genetic mutation less widely recognized than the BRCA 1 and 2 genes. The startling statistic that stood out to me is the increased lifetime risk of breast cancer with an ATM gene mutation is from 12.5% to 53%.

That meant I had always had a 50% chance of having breast cancer but was unaware I had the mutation until I was diagnosed. I often think about what would have been different if I had genetic testing before my diagnosis.

Cancer screenings have not returned to pre-COVID levels

Since my diagnosis, I received six rounds of chemotherapy and a double mastectomy with reconstruction, now going on four years since my final treatment. This journey ignited a passion for raising awareness, educating others about gene mutations and empowering individuals to advocate for themselves.

This mission has turned into my daily work through my involvement with Making Strides Nashville and the American Cancer Society, creating awareness about genetic mutation and cancer risks through its Facebook and local breast cancer walk in October.

While we host our main event in October, we foster a year-round community online. Through our Facebook, we shout out local donors who are helping fundraise with us all year long, share resources and run our “I Love You, Get Screened” campaign.

Cancer screening in the U.S. decreased tremendously during the COVID-19 pandemic, and screenings for certain cancers, such as breast, cervical and colorectal, still haven’t reached their pre-pandemic levels.

To prioritize your health, please schedule routine mammograms with an oncologist starting in your mid-30s and have clinical breast exams during regular check-ups. These exams will play a significant role in early detection.

You can also perform regular breast self-exams to identify any changes or abnormalities and report them to your doctor. Consult with your healthcare provider to determine the most suitable screening and testing options for you and discuss vaccination options, such as the HPV vaccine, which can help reduce the risk of certain types of breast cancer.

Take your health into your own hands and get screened for cancer

While acknowledging there is no surefire way to prevent cancer, screenings, genetic testing and the HPV vaccination are three strong measures we can take to prioritize our health.

Through the “I Love You, Get Screened” initiative on our Facebook page, we urge people to check on their loved ones, motivating them to proactively take the necessary steps to understand their health and stop the potential onset of cancer.

Our community is open to anyone who needs support, wants to learn more, has a personal connection to breast cancer or wants to help the next generation of women and men strike against cancer.

Together, we can build a healthier tomorrow, and that starts with prevention and education today.

Take your health into your own hands and get screened today.

For more resources or support, check out Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Nashville at facebook.com/makingstridesnashville.

Tara Shirer is senior development manager for the American Cancer Society Southeast Region

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Cancer awareness: Screenings and genetic testing are key to health