Taking on breast cancer myths full force

Though Wendy Loper discovered a lump in her breast when she was 39 years old, she was not diagnosed with breast cancer until the following year since her doctors felt the mass was probably a benign cyst. It was only after her repeated prompting that the lump was removed and diagnosed as cancer.

A self-described exercise and fitness nut, Loper had always subscribed to a vegetarian diet, shunned alcohol and never smoked cigarettes. She also had no family history of breast cancer, thus the positive cancer diagnosis came as a complete shock.

“I wanted to know why my body had betrayed me. What had I done wrong?,” she asked, adding, “I was the type to take all of those self-tests to see if I was at risk and I tested low to no risk factor at all on every one of them.”

Now 45 year old, Loper, a nurse by training though she no longer works in the field, continues to take medication twice each day. She’s still passionate about rigorous daily exercise, which studies show helps reduce rates of cancer reoccurrence.

In addition, Loper lends her energy to helping others as an advocate, while working as a volunteer for the CIBC Run for the Cure and the Weekend to End Breast Cancer.

For Loper, though, there is still one important thing she can do.

“I realized that many women are misinformed about breast cancer and there is no reason for that,” she said.

Loper began an information crusade after a good friend went to a doctor and was told that she did not need an annual mammogram since she had no family history of breast cancer.

“I almost became enraged when she told me that,” Loper said. “She was past 40 years old and just because her mother did not have cancer the doctor didn’t want her to have a mammogram.”

Such misconceptions alarm her and have spurred her into trying to educate as many people as possible.

Like breast cancer specialists, Loper thinks it should be mandatory for women to have annual mammograms between 35 and 40 years old.

She says routine conversations with woman have led her to compile a list of other assumptions women make to delay getting tested.

“I’ve had women say that they aren’t at risk if they have small breasts because they think they could feel a lump. That is not true. Even men can get breast cancer.”

Other misconceptions lulling people into a false sense of security include having no family history of breast cancer, life style and, a big one for Loper, age.

“When I was having radiation treatments at 40 years old, I was the oldest woman getting treatment in my group. The oldest at 40.”

Loper says her message is meant to empower women and to prompt them to ask for annual mammograms or breast ultrasounds while “not taking no for an answer.”

“From what I’ve seen, many women are really misinformed and are not taking their health seriously,” Loper concluded. “I want to see cancer demystified and to dispel any false notions. Ninety-five percent of breast cancer survivors are walking around healthy because of an early diagnosis but you have to be the one in charge and be proactive.”