Denise’s Story: A testament to the power of early detection

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month — an annual campaign which aims to support survivors, raise money for breast cancer research and encourage life-saving screenings. For Denise D., Chaska, her journey with breast cancer began not with symptoms but with vigilance. Having lost her mother to breast cancer at age 59, Denise began annual mammograms in her late 30s. She was familiar with the anxiety of callbacks and additional imaging due to her fibrous breast tissue — but in June 2025, her routine screening revealed something different.

Cancer detected during routine mammogram

Roughly half of all women are considered to have fibrous or dense breasts. Dense breasts can make it harder to see breast cancer on mammograms, and women with dense breasts may have a higher risk of developing breast cancer.

“Over the years, I had accepted that I would likely get called back after my annual mammogram for breast ultrasounds or MRIs due to fibrous breast tissue. I was taken aback to learn that this time it looked like cancer,” Denise explained. “Following my mammogram, Ridgeview quickly scheduled me for a biopsy and helped me navigate the unknown throughout the entire process. Joanna, my breast care coordinator, was a true angel — she comforted me during my biopsy procedure and helped schedule all my appointments after diagnosis,” she added.

A compassionate experience from diagnosis to recovery

Denise had double mastectomy surgery and, thanks to early detection and genetic testing that revealed that she did not have the BRCA gene mutation, she did not need chemotherapy or radiation. Her treatment plan includes tamoxifen for the next five years. Tamoxifen is a type of hormone therapy used to prevent breast cancer from returning after surgery.

“Everything at Ridgeview was phenomenal. From the hospital check-in to my release, I felt comforted and cared for. The facility was wonderful, and I appreciated the nice private room. The staff was professional, welcoming and caring,” Denise shared.

Annual mammograms recommended at age 40

Denise’s story is a powerful reminder that early detection saves lives. In 2025 alone, an estimated 316,950 women and 2,800 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.

Ridgeview recommends an annual mammogram for women beginning at the age of 40 to help detect breast cancer early — when it is most treatable. October is a time to honor survivors like Denise, remember those we have lost and promote awareness for life-saving screenings. Schedule your mammogram today.

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