Women Blog

Nine-time Swimming National Champion Calls Surviving Cancer Greater Accomplishment than Winning Gold

Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R), the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists committed to ending breast cancer forever, has named Deena Deardurff Schmidt as San Diego’s 2008 Honorary Breast Cancer Survivor. Schmidt, former head swimming coach at San Diego State University, 1972 Olympic gold medalist, and swimming world record holder, will serve as an inspirational spokesperson to help raise awareness of breast cancer screening and education in San Diego County and support Komen San Diego in its mission to eradicate breast cancer forever.

Schmidt, who dedicated most of her adult life to swimming, both as a competitive athlete and a women’s collegiate swimming coach, has always maintained a healthy lifestyle and stayed in top physical shape. Finding a lump in her breast during a routine self breast exam in the shower was a huge surprise to her. When Schmidt was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 47, her life changed forever.

“I quickly learned that breast cancer doesn’t discriminate. It is a disease that can affect anyone regardless of age, race and physical stature,” said Schmidt.

Schmidt underwent two lumpectomies, a mastectomy and chemotherapy for her breast cancer. Her undying determination, the support of her friends and family and the breast cancer resources and information available to her were driving forces in her fight against breast cancer. Schmidt is now a breast cancer survivor, and she has made it her mission to speak out and help others learn more about the disease.

“In the beginning I had thought, foolishly, that no one needed to know what I was up against, but when I learned that one in eight women would be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, I felt it was my duty to open up and share my story,” added Schmidt. “I encourage women to use the resources and advice provided by medical professionals and organizations like Komen to educate themselves about early detection methods and available breast cancer screening and treatment options. These resources helped me in my battle against the disease, and to me, the victory of survivorship is a greater victory than winning Olympic gold.”

On Sunday, November 2, 2008, Deena Deardurff Schmidt, along with more than 13,000 San Diegans are expected to unite in Balboa Park for the Twelfth Annual Susan G. Komen San Diego Race for the Cure(R). A survivor ceremony will be held prior to the race to recognize Schmidt as well as other San Diego breast cancer survivors.

For additional information about the San Diego Race for the Cure or Susan G. Komen for the Cure, please visit the national Web site at http://www.komen.org/, or the San Diego Affiliate web site at http://www.sdkomen.org/. San Diegans can sign up for the November 2, 2008 San Diego Race for the Cure on the San Diego Affiliate web site, or by calling In Motion at (760) 692-2900.

Source: Susan G. Komen for the Cure

‘Nobody could believe it,’ say North Carolina fertility experts, reflecting on fears of the past, hopes of the future

With July 25 marking the thirtieth birthday of the world’s first “test-tube baby,” Charlotte fertility specialists say that much of the initial worries over the brave new world of in vitro fertilization (IVF) have given way to unforeseen sociological and medical developments that few could have predicted over the last three decades — accompanied at the same time by the rise of new issues beyond healthcare.

“Prior to IVF, infertility care was primarily a surgical specialty related to uterine and tubal surgery for women,” said Dr. Jack Crain of Reproductive Endocrinology Associates of Charlotte. When Louise Joy Brown was born on July 25, 1978 in England, Crain was early in his reproductive medicine career.

Advancements in embryology technology have brought medical breakthroughs and greater reproductive freedom. The combination, said Crain, has put the maturing medical specialty under a different kind of lens than was the case in 1978.

“Nobody could believe it when the Brown baby was born,” Crain said. “Doctors had been trying for years, but there were many technological problems. Fortunately, much of the initial religious concern has been allayed by education and acceptance of the medical benefits of IVF.”

During the last few decades, advancements in embryology technology and now-routine procedures such as ultrasound have dramatically improved reproductive medicine with higher success rates, Crain said. In vitro pregnancy rates soar far beyond those in early days of IVF, when most women had a 5 to 10 percent chance of conceiving through IVF. Today, the average is better than one in three.

“We will probably always face unresolved issues around embryo technology,” Crain said.

A media backgrounder that reviews recent developments and related issues is available at http://reachdrs.com/infertility-news.html.

About Reproductive Endocrinology Associates of Charlotte (REACH)

REACH is led by a nationally recognized team of six physicians who offer comprehensive, state-of-the-art assistance for infertile couples and women with reproductive endocrine problems. REACH physicians, all long-time practitioners in Charlotte, are widely respected for their superior pregnancy success rates — among the highest in the region — and for the finest patient care. REACH is a member of the IntegraMed Fertility network. For additional information, visit http://www.reachdrs.com/.

Source: REACH