A Stronger Journey After Beating Breast Cancer at Denver Health

Holli Edward went the first 50 years of her life without giving a single thought to getting a mammogram. She didn't have a family history of cancer, so she didn't think she needed to worry about it. That all changed in the spring of 2024.

During a routine visit with her primary care doctor, he recommended she get a mammogram, just to make sure everything was OK. She set an appointment for the end of May at Denver Health's Breast Care Center and had her mammogram imaging taken. The whole process took less than 30 minutes.

The tech told Edward not to be alarmed if she was called back to retest. As an American College of Radiology Designated Comprehensive Breast Imaging Center, Denver Health is one of the best in the country when it comes to detecting breast cancer early, when it is most treatable. 

"Sure enough, I was called in for a second mammogram," Edward said.

She returned to Denver Health, had another image taken and was given some sobering news. The doctor told her that he found a non-benign tumor in her breast and would like to do a biopsy.

"I remember thinking, 'did he really say non-benign?' And I couldn't move," Edward said. 

The next week, with the biopsy complete, she got a call at work confirming that it was cancer – stunning news for her and those closest to her.

Importance of early detection

"I never thought that cancer was a possibility for my wife because ever since I've known her, she's been healthy," said Charles Nelson, Edward's husband. "She gets the normal cold and flu, but nothing that would indicate something like cancer."

Nurse practitioner Pam Crawford, who played a key role in Edward's surgical breast cancer treatment, said, "If you put eight women in a room, one of them will get cancer in their lifetime. What I told Holli was, 'Thank you for doing your mammogram. This is a small cancer. We caught it early.' So she's lucky because some women don't do their mammograms, and we find a very aggressive cancer."

Who should get a mammogram?

Routine mammograms are recommended for women 40 or older. All patients with breasts should discuss their risk with their primary care doctors to see if they need to be screened earlier or more frequently.

"Our radiologists are really good at picking up cancers when they're very small, very treatable, and very curable," said Heather West, MD, Denver Health's breast cancer lead for oncology. 

"Screening mammograms are the one form of imaging that is known to decrease mortality," added Rebekah Anders, MD, a breast imaging radiologist at Denver Health's Breast Care Center. "We give our patients the best care and the best imaging. We offer screening mammograms, screening breast ultrasound, as well as screening MRI."

Trusted breast care team

Our team of breast care specialists knows how important trust is for our patients who come to see us. "We have a multidisciplinary team that will take care of you," said Crawford. "We provide excellent surgical specialties. We have great medical oncologists. We have a fantastic radiology program, and we can offer you genetic testing. We can also do your high-risk assessment. We have everything you need for your cancer care at one place."

Today, Edward is proud to be cancer-free, after undergoing two surgeries and a month's worth of radiation treatments. Now, she spreads the word wherever she goes, telling people about the importance of scheduling their mammograms.

"Being diagnosed with cancer is never easy for anyone, but I got through it with Denver Health – their care and their support and their encouragement were second to none, and they held my hand through my whole journey. I'm so grateful and humbled by Denver Health's unconditional consideration and the love. They build relationships with their patients, and I found that so enduring, and I don't know where I would be today without them."