Sheryl Crow is an American musician, singer, songwriter and actress. She has been active since the year 1987 to the present until today. Crow, now 60, has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide throughout her career and won 9 Grammy Awards, among other prestigious awards.
This Grammy-award winning artist is a breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed in 2006, when she was 44 years old. This is a proof that cancer can happen to anyone, she says.
Sheryl Crow, was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), it is a non-invasive form of breast cancer. For the treatment, Crow underwent a lumpectomy, a breast surgery that only removes cancerous cells in the breast tissue. Her treatment was followed by seven weeks of radiation therapy.
The renowned musician was diagnosed through a yearly mammogram and has expressed how grateful she was that she didn’t miss it out. Her experience with cancer made her realise the importance of early detection and she uses every opportunity to spread awareness to educate her audience around it. Recently, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Crow took the responsibility to share an essay she wrote about the breast cancer screening amid the pandemic.
She was devastated about her country’s count of deaths due to delay in breast and colorectal cancer screenings during the pandemic. Not just now, she had always felt a sense of duty towards the breast cancer screening which led to the establishment of Sherly Crow Imaging Center at Funk’s Pink Lotus Breast Center in 2010.
There comes a lesson with your diagnosis, says Crow. “The only person who can save you is you” – is what she learnt from her experience and understood the importance of self-care and listening to your body and its needs (such as taking time to rest and not missing out on annual mammogram screening).
Breast cancer and importance of screening
There are several types of breast cancers and treatment depends on the type and stage of the cancer (severity). In some, breast cancers can occur because of a personal history of cancer or family history with breast or other cancers. However, about 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer.
Screening allows early detection of cancer even before a person could show the signs and symptoms of the disease. Finding the cancer early makes it easier to treat.
Breast cancer screening is encouraged and recommended to all age groups of women. It can occur at any stage of life, however, women above 40 are particularly recommended to screen annually and women above 50 once every two years.
Breast cancer screening recommended tests include:
- Mammogram: It is a breast X-Ray that detects if there is anything unusual with your breasts.
- Breast MRI: Breast pictures are taken using magnets and radio waves that scan for any lumps present.
Other breast exams include:
- Clinical breast exam (CBE): A healthcare provider will examine your breasts for any lumps by touching them.
- Self-exam: This is breast self-awareness practise that encourages you to be familiar with your breasts, how to look and feel normal. Self-exam is when you touch and feel for any lumps or unusual changes with your breast size, colour or liquid discharge. If you notice anything different from usual, inform your healthcare provider.
For more information about breast cancer, or appointments – reach us out at: https://www.drpragnya.com/book-an-appointment/
References:
- The One Thing Sheryl Crow Wishes She’d Known Before Her Breast Cancer Diagnosis. Health.com https://www.health.com/condition/breast-cancer/sheryl-crow-breast-cancer
Accessed on 05-05-2022 - Gratitude and Grace: The Sheryl Crow Interview. Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center. https://tahoecancercenter.com/support-resources/survivor-stories/gratitude-and-grace-the-sheryl-crow-interview
Accessed on 05-05-2022 - Sheryl Crow Battles Breast Cancer. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/story?id=1666320&page=1
Accessed on 05-05-2022 - Sheryl Crow Pens Essay on Breast Cancer Screening Amid Pandemic: ‘I’m Making a Personal Request’. People.com https://people.com/health/sheryl-crow-breast-cancer-month/
Accessed on 05-05-2022 - Sheryl Crow: ‘Surviving breast cancer redefined who and how I am’. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/jul/10/sheryl-crow-surviving-breast-cancer-redefined-who-and-how-i-am-
Accessed on 05-05-2022 - What Is Breast Cancer? American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/about/what-is-breast-cancer.html
Accessed on 05-05-2022 - What Is Breast Cancer Screening? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/screening.htm
Accessed on 05-05-2022
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