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René Syler: Taking Control of Her Health
By : Kyle Roderick
Even if you have a family history of breast cancer, “You don’t ever have to be at the mercy of the diagnosis,” says television personality René Syler, who drew national attention when she had a preventive double mastectomy two years ago at age 43. “The secret is to communicate closely with your doctors,” Syler explains. “Get the information that you need, plus the mammograms and other procedures that can help you stay on top of the situation.” What’s more, says the ambassador for Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, “Developing an honest and trusting relationship with your doctors will help you be as proactive as possible, which will enhance your quality of life—and maybe even save it.”
As a woman of color, a wife and mother of two preteen children, Syler travels the country giving speeches to a wide range of women’s groups to raise awareness and inspire women to take command of their breast health. She is especially interested in raising awareness among African-American and Latino women, and, with Komen’s Circle of Promise, would like to reach historically underserved groups such as gay, transgendered and college-age women. “Most women never give much thought to how they’re getting older or that things could go wrong with their breasts,” says Syler. “I’m here to tell them how to manage their health throughout their life spans.”
Because both Syler’s mother and father had breast cancer, she has always been vigilant. “My mother was diagnosed almost 11 years ago. Her cancer was found on a mammogram and it was very small. She had a lumpectomy and radiation and is doing just fine now.” Syler’s father was diagnosed when she was young. “His cancer was more advanced; so he opted for a radical, modified mastectomy,” Syler explains. “Women who have a family history of the disease are at least forewarned, whereas those without may mistakenly believe that they are immune.” The fact is that, “About 70 percent of breast cancer cases occur in women who have no family history.”
Syler had her first biopsy on tissue from her left breast in 2003. After four years of careful screening and four biopsies, Syler was diagnosed with hyperplasia atypia in July 2006. This is commonly regarded by physicians as the sign that breast cancer is soon to develop.
“That was the turning point for me and my surgeon, Dr. Virgilio Sacchini at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York,” she recalls. “So much of my left breast was missing due to biopsies, and I didn’t know if I could endure another year of waiting to find out if I had cancer.” At this point in time, Syler was in her fourth year of co-hosting “The Early Show” on CBS. Dr. Sacchini and Syler started discussing the possibility of prophylactic mastectomy in the summer of 2006.
“Between praying and consulting with Dr. Sacchini, my husband and a psycho-oncologist, I realized that this surgery was a healthy option for me and my family,” Syler says. “I adore my husband and I want to be there with him as we watch our children grow up.” Two weeks before she had the surgery in January 2007, CBS fired her. “As hard as that was, I knew I had to focus on preparing myself mentally and emotionally for the surgery, which was followed by breast reconstruction.” After the operation, Syler recalls, “I felt lighter because this oppressive weight on my mind and body was gone. It took me a long time to make that decision, and I know now that it was totally worth it.”
After her recovery, Syler wrote a book with Karen Moline called Good Enough Mother: The Perfectly Imperfect Book of Parenting. She also became a new media maven with a popular website, goodenoughmother.com.
How Syler Raises Awareness
“Working with Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the perfect fit for me, because Komen is the world’s largest breast cancer organization and has been at the forefront of nearly every major breast cancer breakthrough of the last 20 years or so,” Syler says. “Komen’s first Lifetime Promise Partner, American Airlines®, is raising awareness by painting eight American and American Eagle planes with Komen pink ribbons, and has launched a Miles for the CureTM program to award five AAdvantage® bonus miles for each dollar donated.” (For complete program details, visit aa.com/komen.)
Syler continues, “Another Komen program I am spreading the word on is Circle of Promise. Women of color are diagnosed less with breast cancer but die more. Circle of Promise seeks to write a healthier history of breast cancer for this group. We are also looking to enlist 100,000 women of color who will be community ambassadors,” Syler says.
Syler always reminds her audiences that for women over 40, annual mammograms are the best tool for monitoring breast health, followed by monthly breast self-exams. “Women complain that mammograms hurt; but take it from me, it does not hurt as much as chemotherapy, radiation or crying yourself to sleep at night wondering if you’ll live to see your kids grow up.”
Bringing Hope to Los Angeles
By Coyote Duran
As his mother, Cecilia, lay stricken with breast cancer, 17-year-old Oscar de la Hoya nearly didn’t become a fighter. But Cecilia insisted that young Oscar realize his dreams. Eighteen years later, Oscar, champion/entrepreneur, doesn’t regret pressing on. However, in Oscar’s eyes, Cecilia’s legacy lives on, eclipsing everything he’s done.
“The passing of a loved one is always hard to take, but [the] family bonds and supports and gets you through the tough times,” he says. “I have a wonderful family that united us. We’re still going through it. We miss our mother every single day.”
In her name, Oscar founded the Cecilia Gonzalez De La Hoya Cancer Center. A fully accredited facility, the Cancer Center features staff specializing in prevention education and support for patients and their families.
“Over 100,000 people have received medical care from the staff,” Oscar proudly states. “In a recent survey, the Cancer Center was named the second most valuable service to the community. All of the free support groups and screenings are provided by community donations and grants.”
That very community in which Cecilia raised Oscar feels her love in what he gives back via the Cancer Center. In 2008, 1,200 cancer screenings were conducted free of charge.
Oscar knows Cecilia would approve. “She would be very proud and tell me, ‘You have to do more because it’s never enough.’ Because of her, I continue to work with my community because the Cecilia Gonzalez De La Hoya Cancer Center is for the people.”
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