Mammograms matter.
Navigating Breast Cancer with Compassion and Expertise: Lauren's Journey
Lauren Agena chose to face her Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer diagnosis with a positive mindset. Guided by a compassionate health care team, she underwent treatment and emerged with a renewed sense of energy and purpose.
“I told myself, ‘Lauren, you were diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. You can’t control that, but what can you control?’”
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1 second
Lauren is my first born, my daughter.4 seconds
We've always been close, our whole family. And my daughter, she's like just the most genuine person.15 seconds
And I'm so so proud to be her mom. My favorite thing about my mom is that I22 seconds
can go to her for anything as a friend and look for advice as a mom, too.31 seconds
Two years ago, I had a lump in my neck and I was referred by my PCP to see Dr.39 seconds
Maria Ver.40 seconds
I ultrasounded the lump at bedside and it looked like a complex cyst. On the same day, I said we had time to take it out of my clinic and that's what we did.50 seconds
Without her even saying anything, the energy in the room changed. And then she said,57 seconds
"This doesn't look right." I brought it to the pathologist. He cut it up right there. And he came with a preliminary diagnosis of cancer.1 minute, 6 seconds
Hearing the word, "You have cancer is beyond frightening1 minute, 13 seconds
because I didn't know what life would mean for me after that."1 minute, 19 seconds
The imaging did show that she had lesions or lumps on her left breast as well as very large lymph nodes and also1 minute, 28 seconds
spots in her lungs. In her case, what was really important was to, you know,1 minute, 32 seconds
confirm that this was was actually breast cancer and not a second cancer.1 minute, 36 seconds
We went ahead and took a flexible camera to take a small picture going down the windpipe. We then steer out to the location, in this case the right upper lobe, to get pieces or samples of that.1 minute, 47 seconds
And unfortunately it did show what's called metastatic breast cancer. So breast cancer that spread you know beyond the breast and local lymph nodes1 minute, 55 seconds
to other parts of the body. And then when you hear you have stage 4 I I remember thinking I don't want to die.2 minutes, 4 seconds
And right then and there I said you're not going to die. And in my head I said I'm going to help her as much as I can.2 minutes, 13 seconds
I just flash forward to my daughter. I flash forward to my mom and I'm like, I I can't leave them.2 minutes, 23 seconds
The thought of my mom not being there anymore was frightening. I just wanted to do2 minutes, 32 seconds
everything that I can to make sure that she was okay and that she would get better.2 minutes, 38 seconds
[Music]2 minutes, 41 seconds
Metastatic breast cancer is always, you know, a very lifealtering diagnosis, but it's also just as important for me to2 minutes, 48 seconds
share that there is hope that it can be a chronic disease that is managed with medications over time.2 minutes, 56 seconds
Telling myself, okay, you know, you can't control that you were diagnosed. I the only thing that I can control is how3 minutes, 4 seconds
I show up for myself every day. Lauren started firstline treatment and she's done incredibly well. We've seen on3 minutes, 13 seconds
restaging scans that the tumor has responded beautifully to treatment. Her last PET scan in fact showed something3 minutes, 21 seconds
called NED, no evidence of disease. It just reaffirms, okay, everything that I have been doing up till now works. So, I3 minutes, 29 seconds
need to continue that. And for me, that makes me go even 10 times harder. she can fight this and it gave me confidence3 minutes, 37 seconds
to believe in her and believe that she can survive it. I think she's a good role model for any other woman going3 minutes, 45 seconds
through this same thing. Your health and well-being is your priority and it's not3 minutes, 52 seconds
being selfish. You need to take care of yourself in order to take care of others. Treatment of breast cancer is3 minutes, 59 seconds
really a teambased approach and it was wonderful working both with Dr. Burr and Dr. Cwley to take care of Lauren as best4 minutes, 7 seconds
we could. To look at her today 2 years later and recognize that they're not finding any signs of cancer in her body and that she's responding well to the4 minutes, 15 seconds
treatment and she's not having a lot of side effects from it. Those are the things that just really inspiring.4 minutes, 20 seconds
Breast cancer is the number one cancer in females. I encourage all females to check themselves, do their breast exams monthly.4 minutes, 29 seconds
The important thing to remember is that when breast cancer is detected early,4 minutes, 33 seconds
you know, there are steps we can take to increase the chance of cure and give a great outcome.4 minutes, 40 seconds
I encourage all women to take their mamogram because mammogs save lives.4 minutes, 46 seconds
[Music]Lauren Agena chose to face her Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer diagnosis with a positive mindset. Guided by a compassionate health care team, she underwent treatment and emerged with a renewed sense of energy and purpose.
Lauren’s Tips to Take Control of Your Health
Lauren credits a positive mindset to helping her through her cancer journey. Here are her other takeaways to help women take control of their health.
Know Your Body: Speak Up About Changes That Concern You
“Your health is your priority. It's not being selfish. You need to take care of yourself in order to take care of others.”
A suspicious lump on Lauren’s neck prompted her to seek treatment, which ultimately led to her Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer diagnosis. You know your body best. If you notice any sudden changes to your body or how you feel, contact your primary care provider to get checked.
Nurture Your Well-Being: Move, Rest and Reconnect
“Being able to move my body is doing so much goodness for me, and it'll help me to be here for a very long time.”
Before her diagnosis, Lauren taught barre fitness classes as a certified instructor. Now, after achieving NED (no evidence of disease) following her breast cancer treatment, she has returned to her "happy place" in the studio. Lauren also stays active by walking around her neighborhood and playing golf.
Build a Support System: Let Others Lift You Up
“Having a strong community support is huge. I think that's so important to your healing in this journey.”
Lauren leaned on her mother, daughter, fitness community and work family. She also found reassurance from her breast health team at Hawaiʻi Pacific Health. From diagnosis and treatment to navigating survivorship, our team of breast health specialists is here for you and your loved ones every step of the way.
If you need extra support, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health offers monthly support group meetings for breast cancer patients, survivors and their caregivers.
Get Your Yearly Mammogram: Take Control of Your Breast Health
“I encourage women to get their mammograms, because early detection is the best. Mammograms save lives.”
After her diagnosis, Lauren’s colleagues and friends committed to getting their annual breast cancer screenings yearly. Some even text her following their appointment. “They tell me, ‘I did my mammogram this morning and, you know, I’m really happy I did it.’”
Control What You Can
Use our online appointment scheduler to find a time and date that are convenient for your mammogram.
Schedule a Mammogram Today
You may also schedule your mammogram in MyChart.
If you are not already enrolled, sign up for MyChart.
Reminders
- Please bring a picture ID and your insurance card(s) with you on the day of your appointment.
- Be sure to bring any additional documents provided to you by your physician.
- If you have any questions regarding your insurance coverage, contact your insurance company directly.
Hawaiʻi Pacific Health is proud to be the first health system in Hawaiʻi to have earned the Integrated Network Cancer Program accreditation from the Commission on Cancer.