An Agent for Early Detection

Olathe resident and real estate agent Bev Huff was fighting breast cancer long before she was diagnosed in November 2020. In the years leading up to her diagnosis, both Bev’s mother and aunt battled the disease. She followed their cancer journeys closely. When Bev was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, the most common type of breast cancer, on her aunt’s last day of cancer treatment, her world turned upside down.

This time was different

Although Bev had a family history of breast cancer, she didn’t carry a genetic mutation that caused hereditary breast cancer. She had genetic testing and annual mammograms, knowing she couldn’t be too careful. That’s why her mammogram in November 2020 felt routine.

“Things were different this time,” Bev said. “With my 60th birthday and 40th wedding anniversary on the horizon, I never saw this coming. That’s why screenings are key to the early detection of breast cancer.”

No stranger to working long hours and springing into action to meet the needs of her buyers and sellers, Bev was used to turning on a dime. Despite the initial shock, Bev approached her breast cancer with the same attitude.

“She met her diagnosis with knowledge, acceptance and moved forward,” breast nurse navigator Janet Matthias, BSN, RN, said. “She went through her treatment with grace.”

Bev’s mother received her treatment at the cancer center in Olathe, however Bev wanted to get additional opinions before she began treatment. After researching providers and meeting with doctors throughout the area, Bev chose the cancer center in Olathe.

“I felt most comfortable here,” Bev recalled. “The doctors presented my treatment options and answered all my questions. I felt like we made a joint decision when it came to my treatment.”

Together, Bev and her care team devised a treatment plan comprised of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and long-term hormone modulation therapy. After her breast surgeon removed the small, aggressive tumor that sat against Bev’s chest wall, her plastic and reconstructive surgeon completed her breast reconstruction.

Once recovered from surgery, Bev was slated to begin chemotherapy. On the way to her first appointment, she started to feel ill. After driving straight to the Emergency Room at Olathe Medical Center, Bev learned she was having a heart attack. The cardiologists treated this immediately by placing a stent to clear a 75% artery blockage, and Bev spent a few days recovering in the hospital before beginning chemotherapy in late March 2021.

“My heart attack was unexpected and challenging,” Bev said. “But chemo – that was tough.”

Bev was extremely sensitive to her chemotherapy treatments and had to be monitored closely by staff during each session. Often sick and depleted after her infusion, Bev’s care team was with her every step of the way. Whether it was medical oncologist Larry R. Corum, MD, calling at night to check on her or chemotherapy nurse shaving her head for breast cancer awareness, Bev felt enveloped in support.

After completing surgery and chemotherapy, Bev began radiation treatment with radiation oncologist Bertram Maidment, III, MD. In July 2021, Bev finished her 20th, and final, radiation session, bringing her initial treatment course to a close. Although Bev is on long-term hormone modulation therapy for at least the next 5 years, she made it through the most difficult year of her life, something she can’t imagine doing without her cancer center team.

“The early detection of breast cancer saved my life. I lived to celebrate my 60th birthday and 40th wedding anniversary,” Bev said. “I made it here, and I am forever grateful for ‘today’.”

Wasting no time, Bev got back to work with her realty team, and with her husband and the life they’ve been building the last 4 decades. Back and eager to see what the future holds, Bev is an inspiration and agent for early breast cancer detection.