ENID, OK - Stephanie DeClerk, RT R M ARRT, is a breast cancer survivor that became a Mammography Technologist after her diagnosis and wants women to know the importance of yearly breast cancer screenings. 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. 8 out of 9 diagnosed women have no family history of breast cancer.
DeClerk moved to Enid at the age of 3 when her father was stationed at Vance Air Force Base and attended Enid Public Schools. Her early career was not the medical imaging field.
At the age of 41, on just her second mammogram, she found herself needing additional imaging and a breast biopsy. She was ultimately diagnosed with breast cancer.
The imaging team, physicians, and nurses were all exceptional and answered all of her questions, but none of them had ever been through breast cancer themselves. Her primary care physician suggested she go into mammography and become that person who's had that phone call and been down that road.
DeClerk decided to enter the breast imaging field because she understood the importance imaging plays in the ability of the radiologist to visualize a breast cancer if it is present. She also wanted to be able to share her personal knowledge and experience from the biopsy stage, through surgery, recovery and survivorship.
She attended NOC and NWOSU as well as Autry Technology Center, Tulsa Technology Center, and other specialty courses to become a mammographer and breast ultrasound technologist. She is now using her knowledge and expertise at Zoom Women's Imaging in Enid, Oklahoma.
As a breast cancer survivor, DeClerk knows the importance of yearly breast cancer screenings. While having a mammogram isn’t the most comfortable 10 minutes of her day, it is one of the most important 10 minutes she’ll spend, because each image the technologist takes is helping her remain proactively in charge of her own health and her fight against breast cancer.
She said, "The screening mammogram is really easy. It's awkward yes, but there's nothing really that uncomfortable about it. There's nothing that comes at anyone that's sharp or pointed, no needles, nothing like that involved in this type of a screening. It's merely an x-ray and there is a bit of compression involved."
"It lasts a total of about 7 to 10 minutes depending on the number of pictures we have to take. And you're not in compression that entire time. The amount of time in compression overall maybe 3 to 5 minutes," she added.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer, with 300,590 new cases expected in the United States in 2023. Mammography detects most cancer in women without symptoms. When caught early, breast cancer success rate increases by nearly 100%!
Baseline screening mammogram consist of individuals between ages 35-40 that have no symptoms, tenderness or lumps. Younger individuals with a first degree relative diagnosed with breast cancer should start earlier. Individuals over 40 are due for an annual screening.
Zoom is now offering diagnostic mammograms as well. A diagnostic mammogram is an X-ray test used to diagnose unusual breast changes, such as a lump, pain, nipple discharge, change in breast size or shape or previous breast cancer.
DeClerk has now been a breast cancer survivor for 22 years (7/10/2023).
Do you have insurance in Oklahoma? If so, your plan is required to offer an annual mammogram, after 40 years old, with no deductible or copay.
Reach out to Zoom Women's Imaging to setup a screening. Feel free to send them a private message or call (580)540-3244. Learn more at zoomdiagnostic.com. They are located at 1113 W. Cherry in Enid.
No insurance? No problem. Contact Zoom for help.
