Early detection counts

When Renee Rolfes was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer 14 years ago she had no history of the disease in her family.

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Little did the East Gull Lake woman know at the time that her diagnosis was only the beginning in what has become a lengthy family history of the disease.

Rolfes shares her story of surviving breast cancer with Dispatch readers as part of the "Think Pink" campaign during October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Several events are planned throughout the month in the Brainerd lakes area to spotlight the importance of early detection of breast cancer and breast cancer research and support.

Rolfes, 57, discovered the three-centimeter tumor in her breast when she was 44. She had her first mammogram when she was 40 but hadn't returned for another one. Life was busy for the married mother of two who also operates her own beauty salon out of her home. Her husband, Rudy, is a retired State Patrol trooper. She said since breast cancer didn't run in her family and she wasn't as concerned as perhaps she should have been.

Renee Rolfes (left) of East Gull Lake and her sister, Marian Fragodt, Browerville, shared a laugh. The sisters both are breast cancer survivors. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls» Purchase reprints of this photo.

Rolfes said a needle biopsy showed no sign of cancer in the lump but she went to Abbott Northwestern Hospital a week later for an open surgery biopsy for a second opinion. Within a hour of her biopsy, she was told it was cancerous.

"You have the feeling that the bottom fell out of your world," Rolfes said of learning of her diagnosis. Rolfes chose to undergo a mastectomy and had 13 lymph nodes removed, as well. She also underwent chemotherapy.

But her worst breast cancer experience was yet to occur.

Rolfes' sister, Marian Fragodt, who lives in Browerville, was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer through a mammogram three years ago. Rolfes said it was more difficult watching her sister, who is 1-1/2 years older, go through breast cancer treatments than it was experiencing it herself. Fragodt underwent a mastectomy and went through chemotherapy too, but suffered from more side effects of the treatment than Rolfes.

"She's been my lifeline since I was diagnosed with breast cancer," Fragodt said of Rolfes. "She was my support person. When you find out you have cancer you're in a state of shock, you don't know what you should do, whether you should have a mastectomy or lumpectomy. She went to some of my appointments with me and she helped me a lot with finding resources. After I lost my hair she took me to St. Cloud and helped me pick out a wig. She's been a wonderful support system for me."

Then last year, six months after Fragodt finished chemotherapy, something unbelievable happened.

In April 2007, their niece, Michelle Boehland, of Bertha, was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer at age 42 during the second mammogram she'd ever had. Then in August, four months later, Boehland's mother, Juliene Bjerke, of Clarissa, who is Fragodt's and Rolfes' sister-in-law, was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 60. One month later, Boehland's sister, Meliene Laska, Rochester, was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 40 during her first mammogram.

Boehland underwent a lumpectomy with chemotherapy and radiation to fight the cancer. Laska had a mastectomy while Bjerke had a double mastectomy.

"It was unreal, 2007 was not good," said Bjerke. "As far as I know, there's no breast cancer on my side of the family so I'm not sure where all this came from. We were just shocked."

"We couldn't believe it," Rolfes said of her sister-in-law and both her nieces being diagnosed with breast cancer within one year. Rolfes' brother, Curtis, who is married to Bjerke and is the father of Boehland and Laska, also battled and survived kidney cancer nine years ago.

"It was such a shock when I was diagnosed, but I always knew there was a chance," Boehland said of developing breast cancer. "My mom and sister were both scared to go in (for a mammogram) after I was diagnosed. My aunts were very much a good support system."

Fortunately, the breast cancer had been caught early and all are now cancer-free. Their personal struggle with breast cancer has created a special bond between the five women.

"It's like a little special club," said Rolfes. "We didn't anticipate this type of club. We're a very tight-knit family and it was very hard on my mother to see us all go through this. But we were blessed we were able to catch the breast cancer early."

Boehland plans to undergo genetic testing to see if she has the gene that causes breast cancer. Rolfes said the rest of them may do the same if she is found to be positive for the gene.

Rolfes said while their diagnoses have made the younger women in their family more diligent about mammograms and regular checkups, there is that fear of the unknown that remains. Who else will be diagnosed with breast cancer?

"I'm not even concerned about myself," said Rolfes. "I'd like the next generation to avoid having to do this."

Rolfes recommended that women who are newly diagnosed attend a breast cancer support group. She said it's a great place to learn more about the disease and treatments but it is comforting to speak with longtime breast cancer survivors who have been through it.

"You can get through it and have a complete life," Rolfes said. "You can have hope."

JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.