PLEASANT GROVE — As Laura Baxter approached her 40s, she realized it was time for her first mammogram.
“I’m really into preventive healthcare, so I knew this was the right moment for me,” she said, reflecting on her decision earlier this year.
At 41, Baxter was also aware of her family’s history with breast cancer, having seen her grandmothers battle the illness.
“It was tough witnessing their struggles,” she recalled. “Both of my grandmothers faced it simultaneously, going through mastectomies and various treatments.”
In March, Baxter went in for her first screening, where doctors diagnosed her with ductal carcinoma in situ, a non-invasive stage 0 breast cancer.
“I was stunned — I couldn’t believe we caught it at stage 0,” she said. “Honestly, I didn’t know that was even possible. But thanks to early imaging, we detected it when it was still tiny.”
Given her family background, Baxter decided not to take any risks and opted for a double mastectomy.
“After 21 years of marriage, I often joked with my husband that if I ever got hit with breast cancer, I’d just have them removed and move on,” she continued.
During her surgery, doctors discovered an additional tumor.
“They found another type of breast cancer, invasive lobular carcinoma, which is trickier to identify since it grows differently,” she explained. “It’s hard to catch on scans.”
This led to a stage 1 diagnosis, but thanks to early detection, they managed to remove the cancer.
“I think there’s now a better understanding of women’s health, and the respect for patient choice is greater,” she observed. “I wish my grandmothers had the same opportunities. I’m thankful I do, and I hope for similar improvements for my daughter as she grows up.”
With her history and diagnosis, Baxter chose to undergo genetic testing, which revealed she carries two genes that increase cancer risk.
“Now I need to be alert about pancreatic and ovarian cancers, while the men in my family should monitor for prostate cancer,” she noted. “Having this knowledge allows me to take preventive measures and stay vigilant.”
Baxter acknowledged that her situation turned out to be a “best-case scenario,” and she encourages others to prioritize prevention.
“One thing I didn’t know is that if there’s a family history of breast cancer, you should start getting mammograms 10 years earlier than the youngest case in your family,” she advised. “Since I was diagnosed at 41, my sisters and daughter should begin their screenings at 31 to catch any issues earlier.”
“It’s more than just waiting until you’re 40,” she emphasized. “You really need to understand your specific situation and advocate for your health when you notice changes.”
