Hartselle woman undergoes preventative surgery, discovers hidden cancer
With a strong family history of breast cancer, Kim Lawrimore knew the odds weren’t in her favor.
Knowing she is at a higher risk than normal, the Hartselle resident had been closely monitored for years. But after watching her sister go through a cancer diagnosis and subsequent recovery, Lawrimore, 54, made the decision to undergo a preventative double mastectomy.
On April 10, Lawrimore had the surgery she hoped would give her peace of mind about her own health. But in a turn of events, the preventative surgery might have saved her life in a way she never anticipated. Following the procedure, doctors discovered a tiny two-millimeter tumor during pathology—a cancerous mass so small it had not shown up on any imaging.
“They told me it would have been a minimum of five years before they would have found it,” Lawrimore said. “And by then, the outcome could have been completely different.”
The tumor, no larger than the head of a pen, was growing in a line rather than forming a lump, making it even more difficult to detect through traditional means like mammograms or MRIs. The discovery came as a shock to Lawrimore, who had been regularly seeing high-risk oncologist Dr. Richard Richardson at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children every 3-4 months for the past six years.
“Neither one of my doctors could believe it,” she said. “I actually missed the call when my doctor called to go over my pathology reports because it was so unexpected.”
Lawrimore said she has no regrets and is thankful she made the right decision at the perfect time.
“My sister’s diagnosis really pushed me to take action,” Lawrimore said. “I had been thinking about it for years, but after watching what she went through, I knew it was time.”
Her sister, Rajane Johnson, was diagnosed with breast cancer last year at 55. Their mother battled the disease twice, succumbing to it in 2017.
Lawrimore is now in the process of recovery. She hasn’t yet completed her full reconstruction but is taking each step as it comes, grateful that the decision she made has likely altered her future for the better.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and according to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, on average, a woman in the United States in diagnosed with breast cancer every two minutes.
About 13 percent of women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime, according to the National Cancer Institute.
It’s important to note that most women who get breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease, according to the American Cancer Society, but women who have close blood relatives with breast cancer have a higher risk.
Having a first-degree relative (mother, sister or daughter) with breast cancer almost doubles a woman’s risk. Having two first-degree relatives increases her risk by about three-fold.
For many women in Lawrimore’s situation, a preventative mastectomy can reduce that risk by as much as 95 percent and by 90 percent for people with a strong family history of breast cancer, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
“I wanted to take control of my health,” Lawrimore said. “It was the right decision for me. It’s important to be your own advocate.”
For Lawrimore, sharing her story during Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a way to encourage other women to be proactive about their health, especially those with a family history of cancer. She hopes that her experience will help others understand the importance of early detection and the potential life-saving impact of preventative measures.
“Breast cancer doesn’t always wait to show itself in obvious ways,” Lawrimore said. “If you’re at high risk, don’t wait to take action.”
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Lawrimore’s message is simple: “Know your risk. Don’t wait.”
