Meet Our Survivors: Julie Martin
In December 2015, Julie had her annual mammogram and showed no signs of abnormality.
After hearing that her sister was diagnosed with breast cancer, Julie, who was 67, felt she was at higher risk for the disease. She contacted her doctor to request further testing. After ordering a new ultrasound, her doctor soon discovered that Julie had stage I ductal breast cancer.
The first part of her treatment required a partial mastectomy. To follow up the procedure, her doctor recommended she receive proton therapy rather than conventional radiation. Proton therapy would be able to precisely target Julie’s tumor while sparing nearby organs, such as her heart and lungs.
Julie received proton therapy twice a day, Monday through Friday, at the MD Anderson Proton Therapy Center. She was amazed by the lack of side effects. After her week of treatments, she was able to take on a game of golf without any difficulty.
“Proton therapy was a piece of cake,” Julie said. “I’ve had a cold or the flu that has been more trouble than this.”
Julie is grateful for the opportunity to have received proton therapy for breast cancer. Even more, she appreciates the wonderful staff at the Proton Therapy Center. “They were so patient, good natured and nice! All of them were wonderful,” Julie said.
The multidisciplinary team at the MD Anderson Proton Therapy Center continues to expand the areas that can be treated with proton therapy. With their expertise in cancer and research, they are helping even more patients fight breast cancer.
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