Tracey Passwaters is an ultrasound/vascular technologist at the TidalHealth Breast Center in Salisbury. Throughout her 21-year career in radiology, she has always encouraged women to perform breast self-exams and never skip their mammogram.
However, Passwaters admits that she did not always follow her own advice. With no known family history of breast cancer, she had not been performing regular self-exams, and she knew it was time for her mammogram after turning 40. During a routine visit, her gynecologist, Dr. Joaquin Cabrera, found a large lump in her breast.
That same day, Passwaters underwent a mammogram and ultrasound.
“It was pretty evident what we were looking at,” she recalled.
The following day, she had a stereotactic biopsy with Dr. Steven Carey, a physician she credits with saving her life more than once. By Monday, her results were in: Stage two breast cancer with lymph node involvement.
“As I sat in Dr. Carey’s office once again, the words that came out of his mouth sounded like I was in a tunnel: I had cancer,” Passwaters said.
She immediately requested that Dr. Carey perform a bilateral mastectomy, and she was in the operating room by Thursday of that same week. After genetic testing revealed that she carried the BRCA2 gene, she also encouraged her family members to receive genetic testing.
Following surgery and a preventive hysterectomy, Passwaters received chemotherapy for four months at the TidalHealth Allen Cancer Center in Seaford. Her treatment was delayed at times due to low white blood cell counts and complications that required gallbladder surgery.
Passwaters said that her battle with breast cancer has strengthened her faith and reshaped her outlook on life and work.
“I try to live life to the fullest now,” she said. “This experience has made me so much more empathetic to my patients. As I look back, I realize that everything happens for a reason.”
Passwaters now uses her experience to raise awareness about breast cancer and the importance of routine self-exams and screenings.
“I believe I'm here to raise awareness and serve as an example of what not to do,” she said. “It is crucial that women take the time to really get familiar with their breast anatomy so they can know when there is a change. You are the first line of defense in detecting abnormalities. Mammograms are very advanced and can detect so much more now.”
Passwaters encourages breast cancer warriors and survivors to pursue their faith and build strong support systems.
She finds comfort and strength in the words of Isaiah 41:10: "So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
You can make a difference
Help save lives in our community by supporting the Sheila Zimmer Breast Screenings Fund. Created in memory of Sheila Zimmer, a Salisbury native who bravely battled breast cancer twice after a lifetime of giving back to others, this fund helps provide access to life-saving breast screenings and care up to diagnosis for patients in need. Through this effort, Sheila’s legacy of compassion and generosity will continue to touch lives.
Visit the TidalHealth Foundation page to support and help continue Sheila’s legacy.
