Shellie begins breast reconstruction

Summary

KATU Reporter Shellie Bailey-Shah, who is fighting breast cancer, is telling her story in the hopes that it will help others. In this latest update, she talks about what few breast cancer patients are comfortable sharing with others - the process of breast reconstruction.

Story Published: Dec 2, 2008 at 7:42 PM PDT

Story Updated: Dec 3, 2008 at 9:18 PM PDT

Shellie begins breast reconstruction

PORTLAND, Ore. - One of our family members here at KATU is sharing her story in the hopes that it will help others.

Problem Solver Reporter Shellie Bailey-Shah was diagnosed with breast cancer over the summer and underwent a double mastectomy.  She has since been going through chemotherapy and faces a long road ahead.

 In this latest update, she talks about what few breast cancer patients are comfortable sharing with others - the process of breast reconstruction.

Videos: In Shellie's Own Words

 

This is a very difficult time for her, as it is with anyone who is fighting the disease, but she hopes that her experience will teach others about the importance of self examinations and early detection.

"When I told my friends about my diagnosis, many of them said - you know, I don't do regular self exams," Shellie explained. "And that's the one and only reason why I decided to share this very personal struggle."

One of the most effective and easiest ways to detect breast cancer is to do a regular self exam but not enough women do it.  Here are some resources to help you get started:

OHSU Cancer Institute offers workshops on how to perform the new self breast exam for women who are at a higher risk. To schedule an appointment to learn how to perform the new self exam, contact Joan Laufer, N.P., (503) 418-8048; lauferj@ohsu.edu

General Information About Breast Cancer

Viewer Poll

Do you support or oppose the health care bill members of the U.S. House will be voting on this weekend? Read more

  • Support
  • Oppose
  • Support most of it
  • Support some of it
  • Unsure