Newnan, Ga. (October 17, 2023) – Just seven months ago, Dr. Malika Gonzales received news she never thought could happen to her: She had breast cancer. During a self-breast exam, Gonzales, 44, felt a lump, and with no family history of breast cancer and always having normal mammograms, she went solely on her gut and scheduled a visit to her doctor. With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Gonzales hopes this month serves as a reminder that it can happen to anyone and that women should listen to their bodies if something doesn’t feel right.
Since turning 40, Gonzales has scheduled her annual mammogram for November. The screenings had not detected any sign of cancer, just that she had dense breast tissue. In January of this year, Gonzales started feeling a weird sensation in her right breast and just a month later pain in her nipple. When she performed a self-exam, she found a lump the size of a grape.
“I knew something was wrong when I felt the lump and knew I needed to get it checked out,” said Gonzales.
She immediately saw her OBGYN, who referred her to have an ultrasound and biopsy. That’s when she found out she had stage 1 breast cancer.
“I want to tell women to be aware of their bodies and listen and be their own advocate,” said Gonzales. “Age doesn’t matter, we need to be diligent in doing self-exams and knowing when something isn’t right and get it checked out immediately.”
With her diagnosis of breast cancer, Gonzales was immediately referred to Windy Dean-Colomb, M.D., medical oncologist at Piedmont Physicians Medical Oncology in Newnan.
“When I initially found out it was a shock, but I just had to have faith,” said Gonzales. “Dr. Dean put a plan in place and made me feel comfortable. She is very communicative and always takes time to talk to me.”
Gonzales’ care plan included chemotherapy, a double mastectomy which removes both breasts entirely, immunotherapy infusions, and she will soon start radiation.
“It is important to have a village of positive people to support you through your journey,” says Gonzales. “Chemo was hard and you have to have help. I am so thankful to my family, friends and coworkers who have supported me these past few months.”
As a wife, mother of two girls, and a school principal, Gonzales keeps busy and is surrounding herself with positivity and faith.
“During chemo I couldn’t eat and lost 27 pounds, so now I am enjoying eating again,” she says. “I had to go to the emergency room a few times and Dr. Dean took time to come see me and check on me.”
Before her radiation starts, Gonzales has been taking time to do self-care and enjoys reading, watching television shows, and being outside and breathing in the fresh air.
She hopes her story resonates with others, as it shows how important it is to take notice of any changes in your body and not to ignore these changes.
For more information about the Breast Health Center and cancer services at Piedmont Newnan Hospital, visit piedmont.org/cancer.