Author and breast cancer survivor Geralyn Lucas woke from her mastectomy 17 years ago with her bright red lipstick still in place.
"I wanted to tell my doctor something about me. I didn't want to just be '28-year-old right side mastectomy,' " Lucas said in Richmond on Tuesday for a VCU Massey Cancer Center fundraiser.
The red lipstick has become a symbol for others, who send her photos of themselves wearing red lipstick as they are about to undergo breast cancer surgery. Her book about the experience, "Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy," was made into a movie that in 2007 was nominated for an Emmy.
Since her diagnosis and treatment, so much has changed because of research, Lucas said.
"When I was diagnosed, they were just talking about a gene," Lucas said. "Now, women are having prophylactic mastectomies and oophorectomies, calling themselves 'previvors.' It's amazing — targeted therapy."
Lucas said a tour of Massey Cancer Center research laboratories opened her eyes to what the future holds.
"You should see the refrigerator where breast tissue is stored at minus-80 degrees," Lucas said, referring to a tissue bank co-run by researcher David Williams.
"It was such a mind-spin," she said of Massey Cancer Center director Gordon Ginder's research. "I felt like it was science fiction what he is doing, and it is translational research. This is going to happen."
Ginder said Massey Cancer Center recently underwent its periodic review to remain a National Cancer Institute-recognized cancer center, a designation that comes with federal funding.
"We won't get official grant notice for another month or so," Ginder said, adding that the recommendation of the review group was for a five-year renewal.
"The purpose of all of this is really to achieve our mission: relieving suffering and death from cancer," Ginder said.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement