Paying attention to subtle changes in your body and following through with routine health screenings can catch serious diseases like cancer at their most treatable stages. One woman's decision to finally prioritize her health appointments led to an early breast cancer diagnosis that, while serious, became highly manageable because it was detected before it spread.

What Made One Woman Schedule Her Overdue Mammogram?

Simone Herbin-Canty had spent years putting her own health on the back burner. As a mother of six with only her youngest still at home, she decided it was finally time to take care of herself. In February 2024, she booked the appointments she had been postponing: a gynecologic exam, annual physical, lab work, and the one that weighed heaviest on her mind, a mammogram.

"There was a strange heaviness in my left breast," Simone recalled. "Deep down, I just sensed that I was going to be diagnosed with breast cancer." That intuition proved accurate. Her mammogram and ultrasound revealed a large abnormal area in her left breast and swollen lymph nodes under her arm. A biopsy confirmed the diagnosis: she had breast cancer.

Simone's case highlights an important truth about preventive care: your body often sends signals worth paying attention to, and routine screenings can catch problems when treatment options are most effective. Her willingness to listen to her instincts and follow through with medical appointments became the foundation of her successful treatment journey.

How Does Early Detection Change Breast Cancer Treatment?

Simone was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer, a type where cancer cells have a protein called HER2 that helps them grow quickly. While this can make the cancer more aggressive, it's also highly treatable because doctors have therapies that specifically target those proteins.

Her treatment plan involved a multidisciplinary approach beginning with chemotherapy and immunotherapy to shrink the tumor before surgery. In March 2024, she had a port implanted in her chest, a small device placed under the skin that allows medical teams to deliver infusions and draw blood without repeated needle sticks. She then underwent chemotherapy and immunotherapy infusions every three weeks.

By August 2024, after completing her initial treatment, Simone was ready for surgery. Working with her surgical team, she and her doctors decided that removing both breasts and several lymph nodes offered the best option for removing the cancer and lowering the risk of recurrence. A plastic surgeon performed breast reconstruction at the same time, using a cosmetically designed approach with tissue expanders that would gradually be filled with fluid to create space for permanent implants.

The results were remarkable. After surgery, pathology testing showed something every cancer patient hopes to hear: a complete pathologic response to treatment, meaning no active cancer cells remained. Simone was cancer-free.

What Screening Guidelines Should Women Follow?

Simone's successful outcome underscores the importance of following breast cancer screening recommendations. Experts emphasize that timing matters, and individual risk factors should guide your screening plan.

• Average Risk Women: Screening mammograms should begin at age 40, according to current guidelines from major cancer centers.
• Family History or Risk Factors: Women with a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors should have a risk assessment with a breast surgeon, as some qualify to start screening at a younger age and may benefit from additional testing beyond standard mammography.
• Self-Awareness: Regular breast self-exams help you know what's normal for your body, making it easier to spot changes like lumps or nipple discharge. While self-exams aren't a replacement for doctor visits, they're an important part of your health care routine.

Professional screenings like mammograms are the gold standard for finding breast cancer early because they can detect problems too small to feel. Clinical breast exams by a doctor typically happen annually or as advised, while screening mammograms are usually recommended every one to two years depending on age and risk.

Beyond Breast Cancer: What Other Screenings Should Women Know About?

While breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, other cancers also warrant attention and regular screening. Understanding the screening methods for different cancer types helps you work with your doctor to create a personalized prevention plan.

• Colorectal Cancer: Colonoscopy is a main tool for prevention, allowing doctors to check the colon's lining for polyps that could turn cancerous. By removing polyps early, cancer can be prevented before it starts. Average-risk individuals typically need colonoscopy every 10 years, though stool-based tests offer annual or every-three-year options.
• Cervical Cancer: The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is very common and can cause changes in the cervix, though only certain strains lead to cancer. Vaccines can prevent the most dangerous strains, while regular Pap smears help find problems early. Women ages 21 to 29 typically need Pap smears every three years, while those 30 and older may do HPV testing every five years.
• Lung Cancer: While smoking is a major risk factor, many cases occur in women who never smoked. Radon gas, air pollution, secondhand smoke, and genetic factors also play significant roles. A low-dose CT scan can help detect lung cancer in high-risk individuals.

Each cancer type has its own risk profile and screening method, but the principle remains the same: catching cancer early is key to beating it. Knowing your personal risk factors and talking with your doctor about when to start screening puts you in control of your health.

How Can You Take Action on Preventive Care?

Simone's journey offers practical lessons for anyone thinking about their health. Taking preventive care seriously doesn't require a cancer diagnosis to motivate you; it starts with listening to your body and following through on appointments.

• Schedule Your Annual Physical: Make appointments for your annual physical, gynecologic exam, and recommended screenings. Don't put them off like Simone did. These routine visits catch problems early when treatment is most effective.
• Pay Attention to Body Changes: Notice unusual symptoms like lumps, persistent pain, bleeding, or other changes. If something feels different, mention it to your doctor. Your intuition about your own body matters.
• Know Your Risk Factors: Talk to your doctor about your family history, lifestyle, and personal health goals. This information helps your doctor tailor a screening plan specifically for you, giving you peace of mind and ensuring you get the right tests at the right time.
• Follow Age-Appropriate Guidelines: Understand when different screenings are recommended for your age and risk level. Breast cancer screening typically starts at 40 for average-risk women, but your individual circumstances may differ.

"We encourage all women with an average breast cancer risk to schedule screening mammograms at age 40. If you have a family history or other risk factors, you would benefit from a risk assessment with a breast surgeon, since some women qualify to start breast screening at a younger age and may also qualify for additional testing beyond their mammogram," explained Nicole Melchior, DO, FACS, breast surgical oncologist at Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Cancer Program.

Nicole Melchior, DO, FACS, Breast Surgical Oncologist at Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Cancer Program

Simone's story doesn't end with her cancer-free status. She's now using her experience to advocate for early detection and support other women facing cancer. She became a certified health coach and started Chemo Buddy, a company dedicated to ensuring no one undergoes chemotherapy alone. Her willingness to share her journey, including filming her husband shaving her head as her hair fell out, has inspired countless others to prioritize their health and face their own medical challenges with courage.

The takeaway is clear: preventive care works. Mammograms are invaluable and lifesaving because they catch breast cancer early when it's most easily treated. The same principle applies to other cancer screenings. By staying informed about your health, listening to your body, and following through with recommended screenings, you give yourself the best chance at catching serious diseases at their most treatable stages.