Playing The Percentages
Staff Photo by Herb Nygren Jr.
Shelly Salvage helps daughter Juliana ,1, dunk the basketball as son Thad, 3, bottom as looks on.
Story By JACQUE HILBURN
Feature Writer
When stay-at-home mom Shelley Salvage, 38, learned cancer ran in the family, she didn't dismiss it as a coincidence. The former elementary school physical education teacher took care of herself and had regular medical checkups.
Feature Writer
When stay-at-home mom Shelley Salvage, 38, learned cancer ran in the family, she didn't dismiss it as a coincidence. The former elementary school physical education teacher took care of herself and had regular medical checkups.
When her younger sister was diagnosed with breast cancer, she decided to go a step further and seek genetic testing.
"In the back of my head, I was thinking, 'I probably don't have it,'" she said. "I tested positive for the gene - I had an 87 percent chance of breast cancer and a 60 to 67 percent chance of ovarian cancer."
With odds stacked against her, she and husband, Scott, an engineer, decided to learn more about the disease, her prospects for contracting it and how to respond to the findings.
Staff Photo by herb Nygren Jr.
Shelley Salvage, a Tylerite who faced the threat of cancer, holds her daughter, Juliana, 1, in the backyard of her home.
She eventually opted for a double mastectomy and a hysterectomy, both of which were performed in February.
"I prayed a lot about it," she said. "It seemed like God was telling me what to do. Once I got over the initial shock, my attitude was, 'Let's do this thing.'"
GENETIC SNAPSHOT
Mrs. Salvage and other family members opted for genetic testing after her 31-year-old sister's cancer diagnosis.
Mrs. Salvage and other family members opted for genetic testing after her 31-year-old sister's cancer diagnosis.
Results indicated both she and a first cousin were found to have a gene that is linked to the disease, Mrs. Salvage said.
Staff Photo by Herb Nygren Jr.
Shelley Salvage and daughter Juliana ,1, watch as son Thad, 3, waters a fern.
Other factors associated with breast or ovarian cancer, include age, medical history, hormonal influences, birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, dietary fat, physical activity, alcohol and environmental factors, according to the American Cancer Society.
Choices of how to respond to positive test results can vary.
Some women choose to simply monitor their conditions through regular exams and health screenings.
Others choose a procedure called prophylactic surgery, which involves the removal of as much "at risk" tissue as possible to cut the risk of developing cancer.
The surgery isn't a guaranteed fix, but the benefits were enough to convince Mrs. Salvage, a mother of two, it was worth pursuing.
Other family members, comprised mainly of school educators and coaches, cheered her on.
She's remains comfortable with the decision.
"You can take the knowledge and head off the fight," she said. "I watched my sister. I chose to try this."
"You can take the knowledge and head off the fight," she said. "I watched my sister. I chose to try this."
The cousin who also tested positive for the gene underwent the same surgery last week, she said.
Surgeries yielded no complications for either woman, only peace of mind.
Ms. Salvage said she learned a lot along the way.
"I realize now more than ever how much I need God," she said.
SUPPORT FOR A CURE
Mrs. Salvage is one of thousands benefiting from new research, funded in part by the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, dedicated to furthering the study, education, screening and treatment of the disease.
Mrs. Salvage is one of thousands benefiting from new research, funded in part by the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, dedicated to furthering the study, education, screening and treatment of the disease.
The organization was built on a promise Nancy G. Brinker gave to her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, to eradicate breast cancer.
In the 25 years since its inception, the organization has given more than $1 billion to the cause, making it the largest source of nonprofit backing in the fight against breast cancer.
To assist in these efforts, the 10th annual Susan G. Komen Tyler Race for the Cure is set for May 10 at Bergfeld Park, Tyler, said race spokesperson Ellen Peirce.
"The Komen Race Series is the world's largest and most successful education and fundraising event to fight breast cancer," she said.
In the United States, a woman has a one in eight chance (12 percent) risk of developing breast cancer in her lifetime, Komen officials said.
This year an estimated 182,460 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among American women; another 1,990 new cases will be detected in men.
An estimated 5 to 10 percent of new cases have a hereditary form of the disease, making them more susceptible to developing breast and other types of cancer, according to statistics from the National Cancer Institute.
Survival rates continue to improve, officials said. The five-year survival rate, when caught early before it spreads beyond the breast, is at 98 percent, compared to 74 percent in 1982.
With the surgery behind them, life around the Salvage home has returned to a predictable routine.
There are dishes to wash, laundry to fold, youngsters to chase around.
With two children in tow, ages 3 and 1, Mrs. Salvage seems to operate in two modes: busy and super busy.
Things aren't the same as before the surgery - they are better, said Mrs. Salvage.
The dark cloud of "what if" disappeared and the future looks bright again, thanks her spirituality, support from family and friends and new advancements in treatment options.
"There's so much that can be done now," she said. "There's hope."
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