Cord Byrd: “When a breast cancer tumor is found in its earliest stages, a woman has a better than 90 percent chance of long-term…”

“When a breast cancer tumor is found in its earliest stages, a woman has a better than 90 percent chance of long-term survival. Places like the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer center in Morgantown play an important role in early detection and community education. The center proved to be a life-saver for Jorie Florek. She is a professional golfer from New York State who played in a West Virginia golf tournament to raise money for the cancer center. During the tournament, doctors and nurses from the center provided women with breast cancer information, including instructions on how to perform self examinations. Using that information, Jorie detected a lump that, unfortunately, turned out to be malignant. However, through early detection and aggressive treatment at the cancer center, Jorie is now cancer free. Another West Virginia success story is that of Stephanie Juristy. Stephanie was working, going to school, raising her teenage son, and planning a wedding when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1995. She received treatment at the cancer center, undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, and participated in clinical trials of new treatments. Stephanie is now married, working full-time, and preparing to graduate from school. She is also an advocate for patients in Morgantown, sharing her experiences and knowledge with other women. Early detection, treatment, and research are all important components in the war against breast cancer.”