Nearly one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Kimberly Channels, PA with WellMed at New Tampa, shares her story about being one of those eight.
Physician Assistant (PA) Kimberly Channels knows the importance of regular mammograms. But in 2019, after her latest exam, she got the call that every woman fears.
“They told me, ‘We want to take another look.’”
Breast cancer is the second-most common cancer among women in the U.S. In 2023, an estimated 43,170 women died of breast cancer. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., one in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
On Oct. 30, 2019, she had a breast biopsy. Five long days after that, PA Channels learned she had become one of those eight. The cancer was in her right breast.
Her doctors caught the cancer early. It was Stage 1 – meaning the cancer cells had grown into the breast tissue but, in PA Channels’ case, it had not spread to her lymph nodes. She underwent a lumpectomy to remove the tumor, followed by radiation therapy and five years of hormone therapy to block her production of estrogen, which had triggered her cancer.
PA Channels said she is lucky. She did not require chemotherapy, which is often the case with later stages of cancer. The treatment, which kills cancer cells, can also kill healthy blood cells. Among the side effects of chemotherapy are damage to the gastrointestinal system, which can cause nausea and vomiting, and dermatologic toxicity, which causes hair loss.
Asked if she broke down when she learned of her diagnosis, PA, Channels said she went another route: “I bought a Dammit Doll.” These 12-inch cloth, go-to stress relievers are built to withstand slamming, hugging, or throwing. It was the perfect item for those days when Channels felt like she just needed to hit something. She also benefited from a strong support system, including her husband, Steve, her parents, and friends.
“It was a true blessing to have such strong support during this trying time,” PA Channels said.
Upon learning her diagnosis, her oldest son, Austin, then 18, created a series of decals for his truck’s back window. Meanwhile, her youngest son, Nathan, now 19, has been quietly donating to the National Breast Cancer Foundation for the past several years.
“It was humbling to see that first, and several more thank-you notes from the National Breast Cancer Foundation came in the mail addressed to him,” said PA Channels of Nathan’s fundraising.
Reflections of a Clinician
The risk of breast cancer increases as women age. From 2018 to 2022, the median age of diagnosis of breast cancer for women in the U.S. was 63. PA Channels was 48—too young to be the patient.
“I’m the clinician and I was treating people with breast cancer,” she said. “So, when I had to switch roles to being a patient, it was very strange.
“I did my research in terms of understanding what I had,” PA Channels continued. “But I also knew I needed to let my oncologist and the team drive the bus and manage my care. I had to be the patient, not the clinician.”
Initially, PA Channels kept the diagnosis to herself.
“When you’re going through that journey, it’s kind of a private thing,” she said.
Over the last year, however, she has begun to open up about her journey – realizing the impact she can have as a clinician who has battled breast cancer.
“I know the medical part,” she said. “But as a person who’s had breast cancer, I can explain the importance of keeping up with your mammograms.”
Mammography – a low-dose X-ray that can detect abnormalities like lumps or calcifications – remains the gold standard for breast cancer screening. The American Cancer Society recommends that women aged 45 to 54 undergo annual mammograms. After the age of 55, many women opt for biennial exams. Individual factors also play a large role in how often a woman has her mammogram.
PA Channels had her latest mammogram in August, which prompted the need for two new biopsies, one in each breast. Her next mammogram is scheduled for January. The waiting game this time around was actually a little scarier.
“You worry, did it come back? Do I have a new cancer?” she said.
Both biopsies were negative.
The fact that PA Channels’ cancer was in its early stages bodes well for her future. With early detection and appropriate treatment, survival rates for breast cancer have improved dramatically over the past few decades. The five-year survival rate for localized breast cancer is 99%. PA Channels has been cancer-free for six years. The latest biopsies, however, were a reminder that vigilance is key.
“Early detection is really the best thing for the best outcomes,” she said. “So, for now, I’m doing imaging on a regular basis.”
That means for my treatment plan to have mammograms, in conjunction with MRIs, every six months for a comprehensive assessment of her breast health. A breast MRI can find some breast cancers that would not be detected on a mammogram. They are often used on women who have had a diagnosis of breast cancer before the age of 50. They are usually performed in addition to, not instead of, mammograms.
Asked if she ever feels overwhelmed, PA Channels offers a philosophical outlook on life.
“There is an ebb and flow to life. Our lives are not the same as they were five years ago, 10 years ago,” she said. “And we must just be aware that we may have setbacks sometimes. You just have to be positive, manage your health, and do the things that are recommended – like the screenings in my case.
“You can’t bury your head in the sand and say, ‘I don’t want to do a mammogram because I’m afraid of the results,” she continued. “Delaying a mammogram because you’re afraid can actually cause more harm than good.”
Knowing the benefits of early detection, PA Channels plans to continue encouraging regular mammograms. And, if needed, she will offer encouragement in other ways as well.
“Sometimes, people just need a hug, so I hug them. I’m a hugger,” she said. “I want our patients to know that we’ll be happy to see them, listen to them, and help them in any way we can.”
To all those impacted by breast cancer, she offers this bit of advice: “There is always hope. Keep the faith for brighter days and lean on your family and friends as your support system. And take it one step at a time.”
Kimberly Channels, PA, with WellMed at New Tampa, strives to treat every patient in their entirety to ensure optimal health. She enjoys the interactions and personal care relationships she forms with patients and caregivers. Channels received her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Alderson Broaddus College. From a young age, Channels felt strongly about becoming a doctor. She was introduced to the physician assistant career field during her pre-med studies. She knew this was the path for her, as it embodies her love for the team-focused patient care model. She is board-certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Working in family practice medicine allows Channels to effectively treat and manage most of her patients’ health conditions. She has a special interest in treating patients with allergies and asthma.