Listening to Her Body Saved Her Life
When sudden breast pain wouldn’t go away, Nicole Polk knew something wasn’t right.
At just 37 years old, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Polk first noticed a sudden breast pain that lasted nearly a week. At first, she didn’t think much of it until the pain became too difficult to ignore.
“The first day was a little sore, and then it kept getting more and more painful,” she said. “When putting on my clothes was causing too much pain, that’s when I knew it was not normal.”
This was her body’s first signal that something was wrong.
Breast cancer symptoms can appear in many forms and do not look the same for every woman. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some warning signs of breast cancer include:
- A new, painless, or painful lump in the breast or underarm
- Thickening or swelling of part of the breast
- Skin irritation, dimpling, or redness
- Nipple retraction, pain, or discharge (other than breast milk)
And sometimes, a person’s health history can help identify risk for developing breast cancer.
Breast cancer is often linked to high risk factors. These include certain inherited gene mutations, high breast density, radiation exposure, aging and a family history of breast or ovarian cancer.
Polk had no family history of breast cancer and none of the usual risk factors. Still, after her emergency room visit, she decided to follow up.
She went to Parkland’s Moody Center for Breast Health, where she received a diagnostic mammogram. The moment she received a call with the results, she knew her life was about to change.
The scan revealed a mass, and a biopsy confirmed Stage 2B breast cancer. Stage 2B is a type of breast cancer where a tumor measures between two and five centimeters and the cancer has spread to one to three lymph nodes in the armpit. In some cases, the tumor may be larger than five centimeters but has not spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Because breast cancer can sometimes develop without noticeable symptoms, early detection is critical. A screening mammogram is the best tool for catching breast cancer early. The CDC recommends:
- Women between 40 and 44 have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year.
- Women 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year.
- Women 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every other year, or they can choose to continue yearly mammograms. Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live at least 10 more years.
Polk was only three years away from the recommended screening age. For many young women, breast cancer can go undetected until it is advanced, and the outcome can be deadly.
Nearly 40% of women under 40 are more likely to die from their breast cancer, according to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. It is currently the leading cause of cancer death for women ages 20 to 49.
For Polk, the reality of what she was facing quickly sank in.
“I was a bit nervous for that first oncology appointment because I had never been to one before,” she said. “I kept thinking, ‘What am I getting myself into?’”
Polk had certain expectations as she prepared for the weeks of chemotherapy. She knew the treatment would make her sick. She expected to lose her hair and have changes in her appetite.
What she did not prepare for was the mental toll treatment would take.
“I think a lot of people don’t get to talk about the mental health aspect,” she said. “Mentally, you know treatment is going to be challenging. You think journaling or meditating will get your mind off of it, but you can’t since you are living it.”
At the Cancer Center at Parkland, patients have access to behavioral health services during treatment and into survivorship. At first, Polk did not realize how much she needed professional support until she began working with a psychiatrist.
During her visits, she spoke openly about her daily life, her anxieties and fears. Polk says the sessions helped her process the pain of the diagnosis and learn ways to cope.
“I had somebody to talk to and listen to me, hear my pain, the good times and bad times,” she said. “The doctor really, really got me to go into a place mentally that I did not know I was capable of going.”
A breast cancer diagnosis can change every part of a person’s life. Along with the physical impact of treatment, many women experience anxiety, fear, depression and isolation. “As women, we don't get to feel like that,” said Polk. “We don't get to tell people we need help. This is one of those times when you have to just be vulnerable, break down those walls, and just do it. You can’t do it by yourself, you have to have someone to talk to.”
Therapy gave her the confidence to speak up about her concerns, even when she felt alone.
“Don’t be afraid to open up about your health. Nobody can truly understand it but a healthcare professional,” she said.
After countless appointments, intensive treatments and a 10-hour surgery, Polk was cancer free, stepping into a renewed sense of hope. She now embraces each day with a renewed perspective, checking off items on her bucket list and enjoying every moment.
“Parkland saved my life,” she said. “I am not who I was before. I get to see the world in a new set of eyes and get to do everything right now. It is like a new life.”
One item on her bucket list is giving back by teaching women about the importance of self-exams and listening to their bodies.
“Know your girls, period,” said Polk. “If something does not feel right, say something.”
Though she had no family history of breast cancer or visible symptoms, Polk was diagnosed. Her experience is a reminder that breast cancer can affect anyone and that facing it requires caring for both your body and mind.
Women under 40 with concerns about their breast health can speak with a Parkland provider about breast health services. Find a community health center near you at www.parklandhealth.org/locations.
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