Sandy's breast cancer journey
Sandy worked in cancer care. Then she became a patient.
After a career with GenesisCare’s Corporate Compliance Department, Sandy F. took a regional role in 2024 and began working as Senior Patient Services Specialist at our radiation oncology center in Jupiter, FL. In her new position, she enjoyed being more connected to patients. But that connection ran even deeper as she had recently received her own breast cancer diagnosis.
Acutely aware of her family’s cancer history, Sandy was diligent with regular mammograms, starting at the age of 35. On a Tuesday morning in February 2024, after spotting an abnormality during one of these routine mammograms, her diagnostic radiologist immediately sent Sandy for a biopsy. By Friday of that week, Sandy was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma.
Drawing from her in-depth knowledge of local providers and technology, Sandy assembled an expert healthcare team around her, many of whom she was fortunate to know professionally. One of these physicians was Dr. Evelyn Berne, GenesisCare Surgical Breast Oncologist. Upon learning the results of her MRI and genetic testing, Dr. Berne took great care to sit down with Sandy and explain each of her various options in detail. Trusting Dr. Berne with her life, Sandy asked her surgeon pointedly, “If you were me, what would you do?” She followed Dr. Berne’s guidance and decided on a lumpectomy.
Just one month after her routine mammogram, Sandy was undergoing surgery with Dr. Berne. With the help of a pathologist who was present during the surgery, it was discovered that the cancer had not spread to the lymph nodes. Sandy did not require chemotherapy but was sent for 20 days of radiation treatment. She was cared for and comforted by her own colleagues. She felt their compassion deeply.
Sandy didn’t miss a day of work throughout her radiation treatment. For that, she attributes the excellent care she received, and her patients who kept her going through it all. “Seeing them in similar situations gave me hope,” she said. “Hearing their stories and seeing them come back after finishing treatment ten plus years ago has really helped me.”
Sandy has a lot of gratitude for those patients as well as for her doctors and her entire care team who she said made her feel fully supported, often going out of their way to check in on her and expediting treatment wherever possible.
Sandy’s advice for others who may be facing a cancer diagnosis is to “Stay positive throughout the journey, and listen to and trust your doctors. Surround yourself with a good team. I knew I could trust my physicians with my life. I couldn’t have done it without them and the support of my family and coworkers. I feel so fortunate to have them; that was the greatest thing for me. You have to have a support network.”
Given her experience, Sandy also encourages regular screenings, “Be sure to get your routine check-ups,” she says. “Never in a million years did I think I would be leaving my mammogram to have a biopsy, but that’s exactly what happened.”
Life after diagnosis for Sandy has given her a much more positive attitude. She gains a lot of joy from spending time with her two young grandsons and feels fulfilled in her career given her new perspective. “I take things differently now. I don’t stress as much,” she says. “I have a different outlook and don’t let little things bother me anymore. It could have been a lot worse and I’m just thankful… I’m thankful that I had the best treatment possible. The best of the best,” she said.
Working directly with patients as they return daily for treatment, Sandy says her role now hits closer to home. “All these years in my healthcare career I’ve been on the other side. Now, seeing these patients, I can relate to them more. I’ve been in their shoes, and that’s often very comforting—both for them and for me.”