Beating breast cancer with hope, resilience and expert care

_{Peggy Doonan stands with members of her care team. From left to right: Alyssa Richardson, nurse navigator; Michelle Speicher, practice operations manager; Melissa Bitanga, certified genetic counselor; Dr. Amy Shaw; Peggy; Dr. Jessica Les; Dr. Elizabeth Tito, breast surgeon; Julie Gieseker, breast medical assistant; Jete Imwalle, genetics medical assistant (Not pictured: Dr. Ian Anderson)}

Since Peggy Doonan’s first breast cancer diagnosis in 2009, she’s never missed a doctor’s appointment. Shortly after moving to the area, Peggy was referred to Providence’s Cancer Survivorship team who offer a unique program designed to provide medical and emotional support to survivors — as well as men and women who are at a higher risk for cancer — before, during and after treatment. 

The program has provided a steady source of support to Peggy over the years, especially when the care team at Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital’s Round Barn Oncology Center discovered a second incidence of breast cancer. Fortunately, they caught it early and successfully removed the cancer with lumpectomy and radiation.

With two incidences of breast cancer behind her, Peggy wanted to better understand her risk and the risks to her children and grandchildren. In 2019, Providence’s cancer survivorship specialist referred Peggy for additional genetic testing, a recommendation that aligned with new guidelines released that year.

The results were eye-opening. Peggy had a CHEK2 mutation, doubling her risk of breast cancer. This knowledge led the Providence care team to recommend alternating between an annual breast MRI and mammography / physical exam every six months to increase the likelihood of catching a less-detectable form of cancer. 

“If doctors at Providence’s survivorship program hadn’t recommended genetic testing, I wouldn’t have known about the gene that put me at higher risk,” she said. “That testing saved my life by keeping me on a path of constant monitoring and screenings.”

Genetic counseling and more-frequent monitoring proved to be a lifesaving decision in 2023, when an MRI detected Peggy’s third incidence of breast cancer. This time, post-surgery analysis of the tissue indicated HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer, a fast-growing form of breast cancer that requires more aggressive treatment including surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. 

“We thought we were in good shape;  we thought we were done,” Peggy said. “My husband was by my side through every appointment — just like the staff at [Providence’s] Round Barn and Sotoyome locations were available  24/7 to answer my endless questions. They really treated me like family. That support has made all the difference in my recovery.”

Over the past year, Peggy has been grateful for not only her medical care at Providence, but also their holistic approach to wellness. 

“The results have been very good, and once immunotherapy is complete, I’ll have a 1 percent chance of getting breast cancer again,” Peggy said. “My life is  back to normal and I’m grateful for Providence’s support network. From providing fresh produce at the Round Barn oncology center to offering donated wigs, exercise classes, yoga, walking groups and art classes, it’s been incredible.” 

In 2024, Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital earned the prestigious Women’s Choice Award^® for Comprehensive Breast Care for the 11th consecutive year, a testament to its commitment to providing exceptional care for women facing breast cancer. Recognized as one of the top 7 percent of hospitals in the nation for breast care services, the hospital’s success is rooted in its patient-centered approach and access to cutting-edge technology.

Scan the QR code to schedule your mammography appoitnment today or visit providence.org/srmhbreastcenter.