As ShaTanya Turner enters her fourth year of surviving breast cancer, she has a message for her fellow survivors and those battling the disease: “I want my tests to be my testimony that I survived breast cancer.”
Turner, who works as a nurse in the oncology unit of Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2006.
“Mine was in the third stage, which was pretty bad. Before I had surgery, I began taking chemotherapy treatments. Before the surgery, it became a Stage 2,” she said during an interview Monday at the Columbus Boys and Girls Club.
Turner had noticed a change in her breast, so she we went to see Dr. Jerry Turner.
“He sent me for a mammogram,” ShaTanya Turner recalled. Before we knew what the diagnosis was, he prayed with me. He also prayed with me before I had my biopsy.”
Turner”s partial mastectomy — removing the cancerous lump and the tissue surrounding it — was performed at BMH-GT by Dr. Jerry Stewart; the surgery included removing lymph nodes.
“I only had to stay overnight following the surgery,” Turner said.
The surgery was followed up with chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
Cancer free
In the three-plus years since the detection and surgery, Turner has remained cancer free and continues to have regular blood screenings.
To maintain her nursing certification, she has to take a two-day course. It was during this time that she was asked to take part in this year”s Relay for Life event on April 23-24.
The event will begin at 6 p.m. and will continue until 6 a.m. at Saunders Field, also known as the Magnolia Bowl.
“Working in the oncology unit, I see patients who are having to deal with cancer every day. I want them to know my test can be a testimony to them as well that it can be treated and they can have a chance to be cancer free,” she said.
Another survivor
Turner is not the only one in her family who has dealt with breast cancer. Her aunt, Karen Harris, is a breast cancer survivor. A member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Harris also has worked with Relay for Life, donating to the cause.
Turner plans to take part in this year”s events.
“I will be in the survivors” walk,” she added.
Mary Moore, president of the Boys and Girls Club of Columbus, said the club has been involved with the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life for at least 10 years.
“This is through the Archonettes of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority of Columbus. Last year, the group raised $2,500 for the Cancer Society, and we hope to do more again this year,” she said.
The group will walk in memory if Jennisha Peoples, a member of the Boys and Girls Club who died of cancer several years ago after taking part in a Relay for Life event.
“Her courage got the youth involved, and encouraged them that they can help in this cause to fight cancer,” Moore said.
Allen Baswell was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 35 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
