Mammograms and early detection: One woman’s breast cancer story
Mammograms and early detection: One woman’s breast cancer story
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) —Thursday was the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is a time to highlight the importance of getting screened. A local Schenectady woman shared her personal experience with NEWS10’s Tyanna Xavier and hopes her message will encourage others to get their mammograms.
“My husband had gotten sick with his cancer. At the time, we didn’t know what his cancer diagnosis was. So moving forward, it was during COVID I was his caretaker,” said Maureen DeSanto, living with breast cancer.
DeSanto said she was afraid to leave the house and risk getting her husband sick…putting her own health on hold for years.
“It was very stressful to see somebody decline so quickly and become so emaciated. So that was very distressing,” said DeSanto.
Her husband died in 2020, and she went for a mammogram three years later.
“It wasn’t flagged at that point. It was just that I had dense breast tissue. So that looked quite normal, so nothing was there as of yet,” said DeSanto.
Still grieving the loss of her husband, she didn’t go back for a mammogram until this year, only four weeks ago. That appointment changed everything. DeSanto learned she had breast cancer.
“As anybody, you think it’s the end of the world. I was very emotional. All these thoughts come in,” said DeSanto.
But she’s using this diagnosis to encourage other women to stay on top of their health.
“I’m sharing this story because I had no idea. And I am blessed that I had the time to go get the mammogram,” said DeSanto.
Jackie Montgomery, chief nursing officer at Bellevue Women’s Center, explains when women should start getting screened.
“So the goal is about 40 years old. But if you do have a family history or any symptoms, just reach out to your provider and they can get you scheduled for one earlier,” said DeSanto.
Montgomery says women should continue getting mammograms every year because finding cancer early can be lifesaving.
“It really means that you can start on treatment sooner if any cancer is found and you’re finding it at a point that allows you to have a much brighter scope down the road,” said Montgomery.
“You have to be your own health advocate,” said DeSanto.
News10 is teaming up with Bellevue Women’s Center for our Mammothon, with a goal of getting 250 women to schedule a mammogram. If you’re due for a screening don’t wait, give them a call at 518-246-1000.
To learn more about the Mammothon click this link: Mammothon 2026 | Ellis Medicine Roswell Park Cancer Center