Looking back, Shira Suggs had no idea that a simple screening event would play a significant role in potentially saving her life.

Living in Omaha since 2012, Shira worked in Patient Access at the Village Pointe Health Center Endocrinology Clinic. She was diligent about getting her annual mammograms in the past, that is until COVID-19 hit, and screening took a backseat in 2020.  

“It was the height of the pandemic, and at the time, I worked admissions at Oakview in cardiology,” recalls Suggs. “I started at the main campus early on, so I was familiar with what was happening at that location. I was asked to return and work there after clinics began to minimize their schedule due to COVID-19. In July 2021, I returned to work at Village Pointe. By October, I realized I hadn’t gotten my mammogram for several years.”

The free Nebraska Medicine Brake for Breakfast event happened to be right across the street from where Shira worked, and she recalled seeing emails about it. That morning she decided to head over and pick up breakfast for her and her co-worker. When she received the recommended breast cancer screening information, she was instantly reminded that she hadn’t scheduled her mammogram.

“It was so easy,” says Suggs. “All I had to do was pull up, pick up my free breakfast and some giveaways. But more importantly, it was that event that reminded me to get my mammogram and ended up potentially saving my life.”  

On Dec. 21, 2021, Shira had her mammogram. She wasn’t particularly concerned at the time (as she didn’t know of any family history of breast cancer) until she saw on One Chart that she’d need an ultrasound. Within a week, Shira completed the ultrasound and spoke with radiation oncologist Andrew Wahl, MD, during the same appointment. “I was told that I had a lump in the left breast, where it was located, how deep it was, and that I’d need a biopsy. When I asked when, to my surprise, they said, ‘Right now.’ At that point, I got scared.”

Shira was also undergoing Mohs surgery, so it was a lot to take in. On Jan. 7, 2022, she met with oncologist Jairam Krishnamurthy, MBBS. She underwent surgery with Juan Santamaria, MD, on Jan. 18, 2022.

“I was diagnosed with estrogen receptor-positive and progesterone receptor-positive breast cancer. Thankfully, Dr. Krishnamurthy said I wouldn’t need chemotherapy, the lymph nodes they took out came back clean, but I would need 15 rounds of radiation. The doctors assured me I'd bounce back really well because I was in good physical shape and strong.”

Radiation began in March 2022, and ended the following month with the addition of hormone blockers. By her Dec. 22, 2022 mammogram, Shira was declared cancer free. She intends to fly back from Florida, where she now resides, to continue her annual screenings.

“Had I not gone to that breakfast event and been prompted to make my mammogram appointment, my cancer may not have been caught until the lump was much larger or worse, even spreading,” adds Suggs. “It was deep enough that I couldn’t feel it with self-breast exams. I have two daughters, and now that it’s in the family, I’m thankful we know they need to stay on top of their screenings too.”

Shira’s advice to those who may put off their mammograms or other screenings?

“Don’t put them off. Know the facts, stay on top of your health, and if a problem arises, face it head-on. The whole Nebraska Medicine team was wonderful throughout my experience. I wasn’t just a number – they knew my name, and I had no doubt I was getting the best treatment available. I trust them completely, so much so that I’m flying back to continue that extraordinary care.”

Have a few minutes? Be sure to stop by this year’s Brake for Breakfast on Oct. 13, offered at three convenient locations. If it’s time to schedule a mammogram, call 402.559.2500 or schedule an appointment online.