Laura Lewis, Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Marketing and Communication at Park National Bank (PNB), has battled cancer twice.  She received surgery and cancer treatments for two different types of breast cancer, facing both situations with faith, perseverance and humor.  For Laura, regular mammograms and self-examination were key to detecting the cancer at an early stage, which greatly increased the success of treatment.

Laura was born and raised in Licking County.  She graduated from Newark Catholic High School and earned a degree from The Ohio State University.  A PNB customer since she was a child, Laura joined the bank after college as a management associate.  She has worked for the bank ever since.  Along with her family, her friends and coworkers have been a much-needed support system during the cancer treatments.

As recommended, when Laura turned 40, she began receiving yearly mammograms at Licking Memorial Hospital (LMH).  In 2006, she was told the 3D technology had detected an anomaly.  The small lesion was diagnosed as the very earliest stage of breast cancer, also known as Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS).  The physicians recommended a mastectomy to make sure the cancer was completely removed.  Laura underwent surgery at a hospital in Columbus, and visited a specialist there for several years to continue monitoring for a recurrence. 

After years of care in Columbus, Laura discussed with her primary physician, Tayla R. Greathouse, M.D., of Licking Memorial Family Practice – West Main, about having her continued follow-up care at LMH. Several months after her yearly mammogram at LMH, Laura found a lump while performing a self-exam.  She immediately contacted Dr. Greathouse about her concerns.  “Dr. Greathouse was amazing.  She knew about my past diagnosis and was apprehensive about how soon after a negative mammogram that I had found the lump,” Laura said.  “She quickly scheduled me for tests and a biopsy.”  Laura was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in April 2019.

A diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer means that the three most common types of receptors known to fuel most breast cancer growth – estrogen, progesterone and the hormone epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein – are not present in the cancer tumor resulting in negative results on the cancer cell tests.  As a result, the tests for the three receptors is considered negative.  It differs from other types of invasive breast cancer in that the cell growth is more aggressive.  Hormonal and HER2-targeted therapies disrupt the effects of estrogen, progesterone and the HER2 protein on breast cancer, which can slow or even stop the growth of breast cancer cells.

Hormones do not fuel the growth of the cancer cells in triple-negative breast cancer, nor is there an excess of HER2 protein; therefore, there are fewer targeted medicines to treat triple-negative breast cancer.  However, Laura was told chemotherapy would be beneficial.  “I was referred to Aruna G. Gowda, M.D., of Licking Memorial Hematology/Oncology, for treatment.  Dr. Gowda and the nurses were wonderful.  They explained everything to me and made me feel so comfortable,” Laura said.  Again, her physicians were encouraged that she had found the lump before the cancer had progressed too far to be treatable.

In September, Laura underwent another mastectomy surgery to remove the cancer cells.  It was discovered that the cancer had not spread to her lymph nodes, and there was a very minimal amount of residual cancer cells in the removed tissue.  Despite the positive outcome, the physicians felt it would be necessary for Laura to undergo radiation treatment and continue oral chemotherapy for a period of time.  “It is a long process, but I just keep looking forward to my return to good health so that I can ride my bike again and participate in the Pelotonia,” Laura said. 

Laura also enjoys traveling to various places several times a year.  She had hoped for a quick getaway in May 2019 during a two week break in her treatment plan.  Unfortunately, her husband, Ed, began having breathing problems and had to have open heart surgery.  “I have learned none of us are promised tomorrow, so live well every day,” Laura mused.  She is grateful that both she and her husband continue to recover so that they can spend more time with their grown sons, Matthew and Michael.  During Laura’s cancer battles, she found her faith, family and friends were vital to her recovery.  “It is so important to have a support network.  My friends and family helped me to laugh and stay positive, and my coworkers and leaders were very supportive,” she said. “My faith kept me going.”

Having battled cancer twice, Laura advocates for regular wellness check-ups and breast self-exams.  While 3-D mammography is an excellent tool to detect cancer, women should know their own body and try to detect when something is not right.  Laura also feels that women with dense breasts should advocate for an ultrasound or MRI in addition to a mammogram.  Dense breast tissue appears as a solid white area on a mammogram which makes it difficult to see through.

Early detection is the best defense against breast cancer.  LMH has an accredited mammography suite within the Hospital.  For your convenience, a mammography unit also is available at Licking Memorial Women’s Health, located at 15 Messimer Drive.  Hematology/Oncology Department at LMH has been continuously accredited by the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer since 2000.  The Clinic also is a recipient of the Commission on Cancer's Outstanding Achievement Award.