ATLANTA — Retired Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Karen Minton shared in Oct. 2021 that she was one of the 255,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer in United States each year.
A year later, Minton says she feels better than ever.
“I’m really extraordinarily happy and I know that sounds funny given the things I’ve went through this last year,” Minton told Channel 2′s Linda Stouffer.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Last October, Minton was diagnosed with breast cancer. She feels sure that she is here today because doctors caught her cancer early.
When she was working long hours for Channel 2 Action News This Morning, Minton kept up with mammograms and appointments.
“Don’t put it off. You cannot put it off,” she said.
Her dense tissue diagnosis required screenings every six months, two surgeries at Piedmont Hospital and 15 rounds of radiation.
Minton is now cancer free.
“Love your family, they’re not going to be here forever, so take care of them and love them,” she said. “And don’t let the negativity of the world make you feel bad. Find your joy and live it every day.”
TRENDING STORIES
- Legendary Hall of Fame UGA football player Charley Trippi dies at 100
- Tenants frustrated after water main break flood their DeKalb homes
- Hispanic, Latin Georgians split down the middle on party lines, new poll shows
In the United States, it is estimated that one in eight women will get breast cancer in their lifetime, and around 2,700 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
Many doctors recommend annual mammograms for women 40 and up, but when to start annual screenings may depend on your individual risk factors.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance says to talk with your doctors about your risk, family history and when you should start getting screened.tw
The American Cancer Society says during the pandemic, there was a drop in women who reported going in for a screening.
The organization figures that means more than 2 million women in the U.S. are not up to date on screenings.
Minton’s message: It’s time to catch up.
RELATED NEWS:
This browser does not support the video element.