Breast Cancer Journey Inspires Survivor’s Career and Advocacy
October 10, 2023
By: Alyssa Plotts
Categories: Cancer, Women's Health
Lisa Cummins’ journey with cancer started when her mom was diagnosed with breast and lung cancer in 1996. She was her caregiver until 1999 when she passed away. Six months after her mother passed, she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer that required a total mastectomy, eight rounds of chemotherapy and 35 radiation treatments.
“I asked my oncologist my prognosis and she just said go and live every day. At the time, I was 35 and that's not really the answer I was looking for,” Cummins said.
She decided after her treatment, she wanted to give back. Cummins started working on her nursing degree in her early 40s and then began working at St Joe’s, now Trinity Health Ann Arbor, on the oncology floor. She then moved to the infusion clinic, where she still works as an oncology nurse. Cummins felt connected to the hospital, watching her mother receive treatment there in her home city.
“I often see patients who I've grown up with or it's their family members and I just feel very honored to be able to give back to my own community and the people that you know have been a part of my life for many years,” Cummins said.
She has also become involved with the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life, Making Strides and the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), holding the chair for the Ann Arbor ONS board. In 2019, Cummins began working as an advocate for cancer patients. She has attended several different conferences to learn how to advocate and how to talk to legislators. Cummins has traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with House Representatives about legislation that will benefit cancer patients.
Most recently, Cummins traveled to Lansing, Mich. with other oncology nurses to meet with Michigan state senators to advocate for the Oral Chemo Fairness Bill. This bill ensures that the oral chemotherapy pill is in the same category as IV chemo treatments, meaning whichever is prescribed can be paid with a copay.
As a breast cancer survivor and oncology nurse, Cummins emphasizes the importance of regular screenings. Breast Cancer Awareness month serves as a great reminder to schedule a yearly mammogram, which is the best way to detect breast cancer early.
“They do save lives. It’s imperative to stay on top of that and get your yearly mammograms,” Cummins said.
Talk with your primary care physician about what age to start yearly mammograms, especially if you have a family history if cancer. An early cancer diagnosis is when it is most treatable.
