West Georgia Health

In her work and in her personal life, Dannie Snodgrass is dedicated to beating a common enemy - cancer. At West Georgia Health's Women's Health Center, the 34-year-old radiologist assistant works alongside Medical Director Ed Bass, MD and plays an important role in educating patients on cancer and preventing and diagnosing the disease. But after being diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year, the caregiver suddenly became the patient.

Dannie knew a family history and an inherited gene mutation known as BRCA1, placed her at an increased risk for breast cancer. The BRCA1 genes normally help prevent cancer by producing a protein that inhibits abnormal cell growth. But in women, who inherit the BRCA1 mutation, the genes are not able to properly control cell growth and the risk for developing breast cancer increases by as much as 60 to 80 percent. Dannie also had a second-degree relative - her grandmother - who battled and finally succumbed to breast cancer.

Given her risk factors and family history, Dannie made lifestyle choices - like maintaining a sensible diet, getting regular excersize, and avoiding smoking - that reduced her risk of inflammation and supported her breast health and overall wellness. She also regularly performed breast self exams - something she encourages all women to do.

"Get to know your breasts so you will notice any changes," said Dannie. "Learning how to care for your breasts and identify changes increases the likelihood of early detection, which can give you a significant advantage if you're diagnosed."

For Dannie, it was a life-saving routine. In February 2010, she found a lump. An ultrasound biopsy two days later confirmed that she had one malignant tumor in her right breast, invasive ductal carcinoma. The most common form of breast cancer, it starts in the lining of the milk ducts and spreads to the surrounding tissue. A breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) found another invasive tumor in the left breast.

Following chemotherapy and surgery to remove both of her breasts, Dannie is cancer free. Though she still has two more surgeries to endure, Dannie feels healthy and blessed.

"I've been given a second chance and an opportunity to give back," said Dannie.

And Dannie does give back daily - not only by helping other women stay healthy through her work at the Women's Health Center but through her involvement with events like the HOPE WALK, a 10K walk for breast cancer, that advances local cancer research and programming.

Dannie said that maintaining a normal life helped her focus on getting well and aided in her successful recovery. Striving to enjoy everything that was important in her life before her diagnosis helped her maintain a positive mental attitude about her condition and recovery, which paid dividends during treatment.

She also credits her support network of friends, co-workers, family - husband Jimmy and sons Zach, 10 and Jacob, 7 - and her doctors with helping her regain her health and stay positive during treatment.

Dannie Snodgrass
LaGrange, GA