Ann McAninch, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019, manages Merchandising Operations at GNC Corporate Headquarters in Pittsburgh. GNC is a proud supporter of Komen.
A Troubling Discovery
Ann was on her way home from a weekend trip when her left breast started to itch. “I stopped to buy some cortisone and while I was rubbing the cortisone in, I felt the lump,” she explained. “It took my breath away. I knew, I just immediately knew. This was a Saturday morning, and it was my birthday.”
Panicked, Ann reached out to a friend who is a nurse, who told her they’d schedule an appointment with Ann’s OBGYN first thing Monday morning. “It was the weekend, so we really couldn’t do anything,” Ann explained. “It was incredibly stressful.”
That Monday, Ann’s doctor agreed the lump looked and felt suspicious. Rather than scheduling a mammogram, the doctor sent Ann for a breast biopsy immediately.
Undergoing a Breast Biopsy
“My doctor looked all over the city to find someplace that could see me that day,” Ann said. She ended up having to drive more than an hour away for the biopsy. “The worst part was, as I was laying there, the doctor said, ‘Yep, this is cancer.’”
On her way home from the biopsy, Ann was beside herself. “I was crying, I was hysterical,” she said. “I stopped for gas and I was talking to a friend on the phone, and a woman also getting gas heard me. She tapped my shoulder and said, ‘I just want to tell you you’re going to be okay. I had breast cancer two years ago,’” Ann recalled. “She told me about all the things she’s done since finishing treatment, and it was just very uplifting in that moment.”
A Breast Cancer Diagnosis
The biopsy results confirmed that Ann had stage 2B breast cancer. “From there, my OBGYN connected me with a breast surgeon, an oncologist and the radiation doctor,” she said. “All of my doctors were connected, they all talked and conferred with each other throughout the process.”
Genetic testing found Ann was positive for the ATM inherited gene mutation, which increases the risk of breast cancer and pancreatic cancer.
Ann’s care team looked at the details of her cancer – including the size of the tumor and that it was estrogen receptor-positive – to determine her treatment plan: chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy.
Difficulties with Chemotherapy
“They wanted me to do chemo first to shrink the tumor,” Ann said. “I had the red devil and that was really rough.”
Ann experienced neuropathy and weakness, which caused her to use a walker for a while because it was difficult for her to walk. “It took me about a year, but I was able to get my strength back. I credit Pilates, which helped me tremendously with my balance and strength.”
In addition to Pilates, Ann also had acupuncture, which provided a lot of relief. “I had problems with my feet and hands and acupuncture provided almost immediate results,’ she said.
Continuing Treatment
Once Ann finished chemotherapy, she had surgery to remove the tumor. The margins showed some evidence of disease, so she had a second surgery a week later. Ann then had radiation therapy. In all, treatment took up most of 2019.
Support from Coworkers
During treatment, Ann’s colleagues at GNC, a proud partner of Komen, rallied around her. Ann worked throughout treatment, and GNC ensured she was able to work safely. They provided masks and hand sanitizer at the office when Ann’s counts were low. “This was pre-COVID-19,” Ann said.
Working for a company that supports Komen’s mission meant a lot to Ann. “My boss made it her mission to make sure I was well taken care of during my journey,” she said. “Everyone was there for me, cheering me on. When you have breast cancer, you want to be normal, you want as normal a life as you can have, but it was nice to know if something was ever too much, they helped.”
Moving Forward
Now five years out from her initial diagnosis, Ann continues to visit her oncologist and has yearly mammograms and breast MRIs. While side effects from treatment were difficult for Ann, she pushed through – and wants to encourage others to do so, too. “Some women stop taking the post-treatment drugs due to side effects, but I want them to know it can get better, you can work through them and adjust,” she said.
Statements and opinions expressed are those of the individual and do not express the views or opinions of Susan G. Komen. This information is being provided for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as medical advice. Persons with breast cancer should consult their healthcare provider with specific questions or concerns about their treatment.
