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Diana Steele of Edmond was an elementary school teacher for 25 years. But now, instead of teaching children, she is preaching the importance of regular mammograms to anyone who will listen.

"I stay on top of my health and that includes annual mammograms. I've never missed one," says Steele. "So it came as quite a surprise in March of 2022 when they told me I would need to get a diagnostic mammogram as well."

She was referred to the INTEGRIS Health Comprehensive Breast Center for a closer look. "I could tell they were measuring something," she admits. "They told me there was a small spot deep in the back tissue near my chest wall, and they recommended a biopsy."

Steele went to see Nicole Sharp Cottrell, M.D., a breast surgical oncologist at the INTEGRIS Health Breast Surgery Clinic. "I was able to diagnose Diana with triple-negative invasive ductal carcinoma," remembers Sharp Cottrell. "Triple-negative is usually a more aggressive type of tumor with a faster growth rate and a higher risk of metastasis. I knew we had to act quickly and attack it with everything we had."

She was sent to see Lara Theobald, M.D., a medical oncologist at the INTEGRIS Health Cancer Institute, who ordered an MRI to make sure the cancer had not spread. "There were two other areas of concern," recalls Theobald. "But thankfully, those turned out to be benign."

Steele's course of treatment was fast and furious. She started chemotherapy in June. That ended in October. She underwent a lumpectomy in December and started radiation in January. Dr. Gary Larson, M.D., was her radiation oncologist. "She received a hypofractionated course of radiation therapy," he says. "Meaning, each treatment delivers a high dose of radiation so it can be completed in only 15 sessions. In February 2023, her regimen was complete."

"I really appreciated that everything was so timely," Steele states. "Everything seemed to fall into place. It really helped me stay positive and control my stress level."

Steele participated in physical therapy to regain her strength and is currently cancer-free. She just retired from teaching at the age of 60 and is enjoying time with her husband, Ricky, two grown sons, and two grandsons. Still a teacher at heart, she hopes others can learn from her story. "Get your annual mammograms. Don't put them off," she proclaims. "My cancer was so small, you couldn't physically feel it. If I had waited until it was large enough to feel, then I think my outcome could have been very different."

For more information or to schedule a mammogram, click here or call 855-MYMAMMO (696-2666).