Meet Cathy Schmitt
Kenny and Cathy Schmitt of Merritt Island have been married 42 years. Cathy Schmitt took advantage of accelerated partial breast radiation recently to complete her treatment for breast cancer.
In late September, Schmitt had a consultation with Health First Breast Surgical Oncologist Mustafa Amani, MD. He reviewed her breast biopsy and delivered her cancer diagnosis.
Schmitt underwent an advanced lumpectomy procedure that utilized oncoplastic techniques during the surgical procedure to improve her cosmetic outcome. These include optimized incision placement and rearrangement of surrounding tissues to minimize postoperative distortions and improve appearance. The result is cancer removal that helps patients heal physically and emotionally.
Schmitt also had the benefit of SAVI SCOUT®, which uses radar technology for localizing the tissue meant to be removed. It’s a more precise method of localizing the tumor to increase the likelihood of complete removal.
“Everything turned out just as we wanted it to,” Dr. Amani said.
Schmitt’s breast surgery took place at Health First’s Viera Hospital. Around this time, Dr. Brendan Prendergast, Medical Director, Health First Radiation Oncology, ordered a sample from her biopsy sent to a lab to acquire its genomic signature. Comparing it to thousands of other patients with similar signatures, they were able to gauge the risk that it would return and spread. Schmitt’s risk came back low to moderate.
Schmitt described it as five visits of lying on the “couch” for 15 minutes listening to music while the TrueBeam device moves around her, delivering radiation therapy.
Advanced medical technology like the TrueBeam® radiotherapy system and SAVI SCOUT are made possible in part by philanthropic support from the community through the Health First Foundation. Learn more at HF.org/give.
Photo provided: Health First
Source/story: Space Coast Daily
Health First’s Cancer Institute and Breast Center — nationally recognized cancer care, dedicated to the fight against breast cancer right here in Brevard.