How one mammogram saved Amy Gliozzi ’ s life .
How one mammogram saved Amy Gliozzi ’ s life .
Some dates are impossible to forget . For Amy Gliozzi , one of the dates is December 14 , 2023 — the day of her annual mammogram . With no symptoms and no family history of breast cancer , Amy had little reason to be concerned about a routine screening . A gut feeling , however , told her otherwise .
“ I immediately knew something was wrong ,” Amy said . She was right . Five days after undergoing additional testing , including an ultrasound and biopsy , Amy received a diagnosis of stage 1 cancer .
Even in the face of her diagnosis , Amy had hope . “ I had a lot of confidence in my surgeon [ Mark P . Gannon , MD , AHN Jefferson Hospital ]. He ’ s been doing breast surgery [ at AHN Jefferson Hospital ] for over 30 years , and I trust him with my life ,” Amy said .
Amy began her radiation treatment in May of this year . This was after undergoing a lumpectomy in January
2023 followed by chemotherapy . She ’ ll require 19 rounds of radiation in total .
It ’ s been a long road , but the end is in sight .
“ I remind myself to keep the long-term goal of a better outcome in mind . It hasn ’ t been an easy journey , but I have a lot of support from my family and friends ,” Amy said . “ I ’ m also inspired by other breast cancer survivors . If they can do it , I can do it ! And of course , all the staff at AHN Jefferson is wonderful . I can ’ t say enough about them .”
Amy ’ s advice to the community is simple : Don ’ t skip your annual mammogram . “ The Breast Center at AHN Jefferson Hospital was just completely renovated with all state-of-the-art equipment . Whatever the result of your mammogram , the staff will be by your side ,” Amy said .
WHEN BREAST CANCER IS DETECTED EARLY AND HAS NOT SPREAD , THE 5-YEAR SURVIVAL RATE IS 99 %.
Source : National Breast Cancer Foundation
“ Breast cancer can happen to anyone , young or old . I went for my annual mammogram every year , no matter what . And my mammogram at AHN Jefferson Hospital saved my life .”
— Amy Gliozzi