WCPO: Breast cancer survivor has new outlook on life
Local meteorologist Sherry Hughes details breast cancer journey, treatment at UC Cancer Center
When Sherry Hughes was a young woman, her mother passed away following a battle with breast cancer. Hughes remained vigilant in keeping up with her annual mammograms, but also asked her doctor if there were additional tests she could receive.
After petitioning her health insurance provider to cover the screening, Hughes underwent a breast MRI, a test that can help detect cancer in women who have dense breast tissue.
After battling breast cancer herself, Sherry Hughes is now advocating that Ohio women have the same access to breast MRIs that she did. Photo/Courtesy of Sherry Hughes
Hughes, a meteorologist for WCPO, was treated by a team at the UC Cancer Center led by Elyse E. Lower, MD, professor of medicine, director of the UC Cancer Center's comprehensive breast cancer center and a UC Health physician.
“My part of the journey was to ensure that she had her appropriate, what we call, systemic treatment, which included very aggressive chemotherapy,” Lower told WCPO. “It was still a very early-stage breast cancer. Today we want to find breast cancer at its earliest possible stage.”
Now, Hughes is cancer free and is advocating alongside Lower and others for state lawmakers to pass House Bill 371, which would require Ohio insurance providers to cover the cost of breast MRIs for women who have dense breast tissue or elevated risk of breast cancer.
Featured photo at top of Dr. Lower, center, speaking with colleagues. Photo/University of Cincinnati
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