Raising Awareness About Breast Cancer and the Importance of Early Detection

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month and Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital’s Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center will use this time to raise awareness about breast cancer, and the importance of early detection. Each year the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center selects a breast cancer survivor to serve as an ambassador to the community to share her story in hopes of encouraging others to get annual mammogram screenings.
Michelle Geisbauer is a wife, mother, and life-long Santa Clarita resident with a thriving personal training business. In the summer of 2019 she was diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS), a non-invasive breast cancer in which the cells have not spread through the walls of the ducts into the nearby breast tissue. “I remember the day I went into the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center,” said Michelle. “The staff always had a way of making an uncomfortable procedure a pleasant experience. I completed my 3D screening mammogram and an abnormality was detected. The next day I was asked to return for diagnostic imaging which confirmed the presence of calcifications and I was told a biopsy was required.”
Michelle’s case was somewhat complex in that calcifications were located behind her breast implants, which in some instances can make cancer harder to detect. The Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center’s lead radiologist, Dr. Anjali Date, felt that it was safer to perform a surgical biopsy to prevent rupturing the implant. A few days later, the biopsy was scheduled with Dr. Gregory Senofsky and the results confirmed Michelle’s worst fear. “I had breast cancer and it was a difficult and challenging time,” said Michelle. “But I’m forever grateful because early detection had worked for me.”
This diagnosis came as a shock to Michelle because she has no family history of breast cancer, and had spent her life building a successful career in the health and fitness space. “My initial reaction was that I was very health conscious and had encouraged diet and exercise to my clients as a way to maintain a healthy life,” said Michelle. “How could this be happening to me? However, I learned during the course of my journey that breast cancer doesn’t discriminate, nor does it reward healthy living. It can reach out and touch all of us at some point in life despite our lifestyle habits which is why annual mammogram screenings are so important. A diagnosis doesn’t have to be a death sentence.”
“Once the initial shock wore off, I like many women had to make some difficult life-changing decisions in a short amount of time,” said Michelle. “After careful consultation with Dr. Senofsky, I decided that I never wanted to face this situation again and there was only one way to protect my health. I needed to undergo a double mastectomy.”
“I am so blessed to have beat the odds and survived breast cancer,” said Michelle. “I couldn’t have gotten through this without the love and support of my amazing family. My husband Tony and I have been married for 26 years and our two children Kayla and Jake are the light of our lives. My sister Karen, who just happens to be a radiology technician, accompanied me to all of my appointments and procedures and I’m forever indebted to her. The staff at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital and the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center were wonderful and I appreciated all of the concern, care, and compassion I received throughout this entire experience.”
Michelle’s message is simple, “You only have one life, so make time for yourself and your health. In Honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I’m asking you to please consider a donation in support of the work being done at Henry Mayo’s Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center.” For more information on how you can support the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center, please visit www.henrymayogiving.com/bca.