As a school nurse, Susie Canfield knows it’s important to lead by example.
So, when her school started hosting our Bon Secours St. Francis Mobile Mammography Unit for a day of mammograms in 2023, she was first in line.
“I thought it was a great opportunity starting at our school, and I wanted to get everyone involved, so I felt it was the right thing to do,” the 53-year-old explains. It was Susie’s first mammogram in years.
“I did have to do a follow-up based on that screening, but it was a non-issue, so I didn’t plan on doing another one this year,” she says.
However, as the organizer of the annual school visit, Susie found herself lining back up for another mammogram when the bus returned to Chandler Creek Elementary in March of 2024.
“I’d heard from a lot of ladies at our school that they’d already had theirs done, so our numbers were a little low and I didn’t want to see the program fail before it got off the ground.”
Susie simply showed up and asked if the mobile staff could work her in on the day of their visit, which they did.
“It was just so convenient having the bus at my job – I didn’t have to drive anywhere or register and check in anywhere else or really take any time out of my day,” she explains. “It was right there, so I went down, had my mammogram, went back to work, then left for the day.”
Little did Susie realize, her decision to support the mobile coach’s annual school stop may have very well saved her life.
This time, the follow-up request wasn’t nothing. Susie was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“It’s amazing that it’s such a sophisticated piece of equipment, even though it’s still on a mobile bus,” she shares. “It was able to detect even as small a nodule as mine was. I’m sure it saved my life. Had the bus not been there, knowing me, I would not have gone back for another three, four, maybe even five years. I know I wouldn’t have.”
Susie had a biopsy, followed by an MRI, before meeting with a surgeon and having a lumpectomy. She’s also having to undergo chemotherapy as part of her treatment plan. While a tough journey for anyone, Susie says she’s grateful the on-site mobile visit gave her a head start.
“Just because it was negative a year ago, that wasn’t the case this year. It totally shocked me how quickly cancer can grow, how quickly things could get out of hand. I’m grateful it was caught early, and treatment is going to be easier in the long run because of it.”
Susie hopes her experience will serve as inspiration for other businesses to follow in the footsteps of Greenville County Schools by having the mobile mammography unit become a regular visitor.
“If more employers could make the bus available to their associates, I can’t imagine how big of a blessing it would be,” she shares. “So many women have trouble finding the time to get off work or taking a break from a busy life schedule that doesn’t afford them time to go see a doctor. They think, like me, it’s going to be fine – it’s never going to happen to me, someone who had no positive family history with breast cancer. But the fact is early detection saves lives. I can attest to that. It’s easy. It’s quick. It’s important. Don’t wait to get your mammogram!”
Do you live in the Upstate area? Bon Secours is now operating two mobile mammography coaches. They are on the road five to six days a week, offering the latest 3D tomosynthesis technology for patients in Greenville, Anderson, Pickens and Oconee counties.
Whether you’re a business looking to have the mobile visit your company or you’re over 40 and due for your annual screening, call 864-675-4875 for more information.
Learn more about mammograms as well as the primary care services we provide at Bon Secours.
