Breast surgeon shares the importance of early detection

• Asia Tabb
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Asia Tabb is the Host and Producer for WITF’s The Spark.
  
  She began her start in radio when she joined legendary radio/ host producer, Doc Christian. She worked closely with Doc for her role on “The Gospel Express, on WHOV 88.1 FM and was a host for “Unrestricted Praise” at Praise FM.
  
  Previously she was an anchor in Shreveport, Louisiana at KTAL/KMSS. Asia also worked as a Multi-Media Journalist at WHP-TV here in Harrisburg, PA.
  
  Asia got her break into news at KTVO in Ottumwa, Ia. While the 2020 caucuses were gearing up. Asia followed many candidates through their campaign trail from Senator Cory Booker, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, and 46th President of the United States Joe Biden.
  
  Asia was born and raised in Norfolk, Va. She graduated from Old Dominion University in 2018 with a major in Communications.
  
  Asia is extremely friendly so don’t be afraid to say hi if you see her out and about.

 iStock

Group of young multiracial woman with pink ribbons in support of breast cancer awareness.

Aired; October 17th, 2024.

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%. Dr. Mai Gandhi is a breast surgeon with UPMC. She agrees its important to get screened as early as possible.

“Treatment of breast cancer has come so far, and it’s always amaze me every day how much things change by the month. The second reason that early detection of breast cancer is important is that it is less aggressive treatment potentially. So, if you have early detection sometimes can allow for less aggressive treatment options, meaning less expensive, less invasive surgery, fewer potential complications, fewer side effects from radiation or chemotherapy, or maybe skip chemotherapy altogether, “said Dr. Gandhi.

Sheri Murray is celebrating five years of being cancer free this October. She shared her story on how early detection saved her life.

“I had always been I was diagnosed at age 53, and I had always been receiving mammograms. And as Dr. Gandy had said about the changes and you guys had discussed the changes in alerting clients and patients to dense breast tissue. I was alerted early that I had a head or generously dense breast tissue. So, I knew that. And I stayed on the course far as doing my yearly mammograms because my grandmother on my mother’s side, my mom’s mom had breast cancer. My older sister Carlene was diagnosed with breast cancer. And then sure enough, I got it. And then a year after I received my diagnosis, my niece had also got it. And then my sister-in-law got it. So, breast cancer is prominent. And I. I think it’s very important to know your body and know about changes, as Dr. Gandhi had suggested. You know, know, know when things are changing and speak to that.”

Listen to the podcast to hear more about early detection and Sheri’s story with battling breast cancer.