Breast-cancer survivor helps others get second opinion
Jun 5, 2012, 7:58 AM
PHOENIX — When it comes to breast cancer a second opinion can be the difference between life and death. A Valley breast-cancer survivor is helping other women get that second opinion free of charge.
Christine Fenwick with Arizona Institute For Breast Health found out she had breast cancer 16 years ago.
“It was very scary because you don’t know what is available and how to go about it and what’s the right direction. In my own case I needed to go outside of the state not knowing what I needed to do.”
That second opinion changed her outlook and she decided other women deserved easier access to second opinions.
Once a week a battery of local experts reviews individual cancer cases.
The volunteer team is made up of physicians and medical professionals who are breast-health experts.
Their specialties include breast radiology, breast surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, reconstructive surgery, and breast pathology. This team evaluates the best medical and surgical options for the preservation of a woman’s life, body and emotional well-being, as well as the continued quality of her life.
“We don’t provide treatment through the institute. We provide that very valuable second opinion, education for that patient to make the
best treatment choices for her and her diagnoses of breast cancer,” Fenwick said.
And Fenwick said the institute has helped thousands of women and saved hundreds of lives and being involved has helped her recovery by allowing her to help others fighting breast cancer.
For more information go to the website.
