Melissa Stancil celebrates a recent birthday with her husband Jeff.

By Nicole Burns for the FCT

Melissa Stancil’s first grade classroom at Phil Campbell Elementary is light and bright, much like her outlook on life. Her encouraging spirit probably comes from her deep-rooted faith, but Stancil will admit she’s been the one in need of encouragement the last few weeks.

Stancil was recently diagnosed with stage two breast cancer, a disease that has plagued several women in her family. That’s why she was vigilant in being screened annually with mammograms and routine visits to her doctor, but it wasn’t enough. “Women need to know not to depend solely on mammograms,” said Stancil.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. It’s a time many use to talk about a touchy subject and, despite Stancil’s recent diagnosis, she didn’t want to miss the opportunity to warn women about a myth in detecting the disease. “Don’t depend solely on a mammogram, especially if (breast cancer) runs in your family. You should ask for further testing.”

Stancil was diagnosed with stage 2 lobular carcinoma, a rare invasive form that is only found in 10 percent of breast cancer patients. “It’s harder to detect by mammograms,” said Stancil. “As the doctors have told me, and I have read on the cancer.org site, it doesn’t always show up on a mammogram. So that’s something that I did not know.”

In fact, two of Stancil’s mammograms didn’t find the cancer. It wasn’t until she found a lump on her side, in her lymph nodes, and her doctors did further testing, that the cancer was discovered. An MRI showed suspicious shadowing in the breast tissue, so her doctors ordered a molecular test.

“I did not realize myself that there were so many types of breast cancer,” said Stancil. “Even though it might not run in your family – and especially if it does run in your family – be aware of symptoms, do self-exams and suggest to your doctors further testing.”

It was the extra questions and added tests that likely saved Stancil’s life.

“I myself thought I was doing all I was supposed to do to be screened for it. You think, ‘I get my yearly mammogram and I’m doing alright,’ but if it shows dense breast tissue, I would advise anybody to not brush it off,” Stancil said. “If it runs in the family, ask for further testing from your doctor.”

Stancil is now recovering from extensive surgery to remove the cancer. Her prognosis is good. Stancil said her faith will help in her recovery.

“I’ve leaned heavily on my life verse – Isaiah 41:10, which says, ‘Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” Her goal now, Stancil said, is to be an encourager to those she meets on this new journey.

Her first message is to encourage every woman to learn their risks of developing breast cancer and to not be afraid to ask their doctor for further testing.

Types of Breast Cancer

(according to breastcancer.org)
Ductal Carcinoma In Situ
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
Tubular Carcinoma of the Breast
Medullary Carcinoma of the Breast
Mucinous Carcinoma of the Breast
Papillary Carcinoma of the Breast
Cribriform Carcinoma of the Breast
Invasive Lobular Carcinoma
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Lobular Carcinoma In Situ
Male Breast Cancer
Paget’s Disease of the Nipple
Phyllodes Tumors of the Breast
Recurrent and Metastatic Breast Cancer