“I am living proof”
Parkland employee shares message of hope after surviving breast cancer
When Leslie James walked into a Parkland Health breast cancer screening event at the Moody Center for Breast Health last spring, she was just checking her routine mammogram off of her to-do list. She’d been getting them for years, never missing an appointment, but this time the annual screening saved her life.
“I didn’t feel anything, no lump, no symptoms at all,” said James, a Medical Assistant in the Operating Room Prep and Recovery Unit at Parkland. “If I hadn’t gone that day, if I had waited just a few more weeks, things could have been very different.”
“It’s so important not to put off your mammogram. We’ve seen so many women whose cancer was caught early, and we’re so grateful they didn’t wait. Advocate for yourself. Breast cancer can be scary, but there are so many treatment advancements today,” said Julie Dreadin, DNP, WHNP-BC, an Advanced Practice Provider in Parkland’s Oncology Clinic.
In April 2024, James was diagnosed with breast cancer following that screening. Within weeks, she underwent surgery and began her recovery with the support of her care team and her faith.
“My faith and the support of my family and friends kept me strong,” James said.
Now cancer-free and on medication for the next five years, James is using her experience to encourage others to stay proactive about their health. “If I can help even one woman understand the importance of mammograms, that means everything to me,” she said. “Early detection saved my life.”
As both a Parkland employee and a breast cancer survivor, James says she’s proud to work for a health system that ensures every woman, regardless of their ability to pay, has access to lifesaving screenings.
“I think it’s awesome that Parkland prioritizes mammograms for women in the community,” she said. “Everyone deserves access to something so crucial.”
James often shares her story with patients and coworkers alike, reminding them that cancer can appear without warning, and that staying alert and keeping a positive attitude can make all the difference.
“Stay positive, stay strong, and do everything your care team tells you to do,” James said. “Negativity will drag you down. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, because you can get through it.”
Parkland’s Breast Health Center provides no-cost screening mammograms for women who live in Dallas County. If you are 40-74 years old and have not had a mammogram in the last 12 months, you can schedule one by visiting www.parklandhealth.org/mammograms-save-lives.
For more information about Parkland services, visit www.parklandhealth.org.
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