ABC News Now / Prevention Magazine

All of these women have compelling stories to share about their health and their lives. I think Janet's story will have the largest impact on the greatest number of women because statistics show that a large percentage of women who will have breast cancer in their lifetime. Janet's story is not just personal. Her earnestness about early detection may have saved the lives of her mother and two sisters. She gets my vote because if she wins, I believe her earnestness will lead to early detection in many, many others and can save many other lives.

I can't stress enough how important it is for breast self exams. My daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer this past year and was caught early. We have every reason to believe she cought it is time for a complete cure. At 39 years old she was not scheduled for a mammogram for at least a year and had she waited it would have been too late. Janet stress self exam and diligence in your our health care. This is important to everyone.

I believe Janet's life experiences are fine examples of how women can be proactive in their health, live a fit lifestyle, and essentially, turn a potentially fatal diagnosis into a opportunity to positively impact lives. Janet definitely gets my vote and I encourage others to show their support for breast cancer survivors by voting for Janet Vittone.

My own mother's diagnosis of breast cancer at 69 y/o led to my first mammogram at age 35 yrs. Mammograms followed for myself, sisters and mother after that on a regular basis. Yesterday we gathered to help my Mom celebrate her 89th birthday !

As a student of Janet's, I have to say that she has been a true inspiration - more than any video could ever show. Her upbeat nature and zest for life are indescribable, and she certainly doesn't lie when she says that she stresses self breast exams to her patients and students. I am the personal recipient of Janet's instruction about good breast exams and encouraging our future patients to do their own self exams. Whenever I talk to patients about breast exams, I always think of Janet and hope that I am making a difference in somebody's life like she has made in the lives of so many - including myself!

As a patient of Dr. Vittones' I can say she is an awsome lady that has used her own experience in life to treat patients with dignity and respect. She listens. Thanks Janet. Doug

Just knowing that Janet was a Yooper, proves she is a strong and an intelligent lady. Keep it up, Jan and goodluck and goodhealth.
From a cancer semi-free patient.
Art (Caspian, Michigan)

Janet,
Thanks for using this opportunity as a platform to spread the word on early detection through self-exams and mammograms. I'm one of 9 girls--all from the same parents. Currently, we are ages 40-54yrs. Our Mother is 77yrs old. That's a total of 20 breasts we have to worry about! We've had the misfortune of having two cases of breast cancer already...neither was caught with routine mammograms but, by self examination. Both of my sisters were in their early 40's when they were diagnosed. They should be fine and live long healthy lives. ****Keep up the self exams ladies!****
Thanks again Janet, you're an inspiration to us all!

Wow! I never thought a Yooper would be able to be so famous, we tend not to be publicized a lot. Good luck Janet!

-Jade Wakefield, Michigan

janet's story is greatfor saving her life and a few others! she is a perfect example of why it is important to be in tune with your body. unfortunately, bc is not always detected with mammography(e.g. breast density) so know your breasts! i know first hand too.

Janet,
Keep up the great work you are doing. Weknew you as you were growing up, we are friends of your folks .

I had surgery for non cancerous tumors ans continue to have exam every 2 years.

Dolores

Janet,
I am a native of Wakefield myself. I live in the neighborhood that you grew up in. I know of 5 other people besides myself within 3 miles of your parents home that have struggled with cancer. I myself have been very quiet about my cancer, afraid of rejection. Afraid that if I talk about it I might be considered a risk and lose my job. I to found my own breast cancer. I was treated at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Zion, IL. and have been cancer free for 3Yrs now. I am surprised to find out we do not even have a local survivors group. I am interested in helping start one. I need the support of a group because my closest friends except for one, were not there when I needed them and still are not. I did not die but our friendships did. This is the first time I have found a way to express my feelings. My cancer has made me a much more driven individual. I take the time to smell the roses and try to find laughter in my life. For any of you out there who has a friend with cancer take some time out to just be there for them. This is a very scary disease and most of us do live to talk about it. Thank you for this site. Good luck to you and your family . I don't feel quite so alone anymore.
Joanie
Wakefield, Michigan

Janet,
I am a native of Wakefield myself. I live in the neighborhood that you grew up in. I know of 5 other people besides myself within 3 miles of your parents home that have struggled with cancer. I myself have been very quiet about my cancer, afraid of rejection. Afraid that if I talk about it I might be considered a risk and lose my job. I to found my own breast cancer. I was treated at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Zion, IL. and have been cancer free for 3Yrs now. I am surprised to find out we do not even have a local survivors group. I am interested in helping start one. I need the support of a group because my closest friends except for one, were not there when I needed them and still are not. I did not die but our friendships did. This is the first time I have found a way to express my feelings. My cancer has made me a much more driven individual. I take the time to smell the roses and try to find laughter in my life. For any of you out there who has a friend with cancer take some time out to just be there for them. This is a very scary disease and most of us do live to talk about it. Thank you for this site. Good luck to you and your family . I don't feel quite so alone anymore.
Joanie
Wakefield, Michigan

Janet, and everyone else here, I totally and completely understand and applaud the coompetitor's survivor stories. However, I firmly believe that your/our cause can reach the most and positively affect the most people. Everyone has someone who has been touched by or has had cancer of some form or another. I'm facing my 2nd go-round, I still have a 14 year old son to raise, and a husband who loves me more than life, and two grown children who make like they don't need me, but they do. Point is, if I fall, it will be like the hub of the wagon wheel falling, and all the spokes will flounder and splinter. I really believe we can do this, if nothing else, if one person gets a mammo or follows their gut, and is their own best advocate, then win or no win, you can rest well knowing you did a job well done.

I tried for 2 hrs to vote for Janet yesterday and the number count for her actually went DOWN when I submitted my vote....during those 2 hrs the count for the front runner went up by 1200 votes. I think there is a glitch in the voting soft ware system!

I tried to vote for Janet and had the same trouble as the above comment. Her count actually went down. I have had alot of trouble with the website as well, when you click on vote, nothing happens today. Thank you. Good Luck Janet....

Janet and family: I am a neighbor of your family and just live around the corner from your parents. I watched all of you girls grow up to be wonderful and successful adults. I wish you all the luck in the world and hope you win, but win or lose you are already a winner in our eyes. Your story has touched the hearts of so many women, you will never know. I will vote for you often and spread the word. Good luck. Peggy

I want to thank all of you who have taken time to write comments. It's very special to me.

sblakeup-thanks for your support,

Trudy-I pray for your daughters good health; she'll continue to be strong with the support you provide

Esther- thanks for your kind words.

Elsie-Congratulations to your mom! You and your sisters continue to be proactive about your own health and life, and your children will be glad when you celebrate your 89th birthday with them.

med student-I know that you will continue to carry the compassionate torch of a caring physician, and your patients will appreciate you.

Doug-thanks so much. I hope you and your family are doing well.

Arthur-keep up the healthy, cancer -free life!

Joan-great job with early detection with self breast exam. Your family sounds wonderfully supportive.

Jade-As a fellow yooper (someone who lives/lived in the upper pennisula of Michigan) I know you will appreciate that Gogebic is a Native American word for "lake of the rising trout". As the trout rises, it causes a rippling effect on the water, spreading throughout the lake, reaching to the very ends.
I'm not famous, just trying to cause a rippling effect, so women will start/continue to do mammograms and self breast exams.

Marcie-thanks for bringing up breast density. In the June issue of Prevention, they have an article about breast density. Check it out. In brief, there are 4 degrees of density D1, D2, D3, D4. These values should be on a women's mammogram report, and are important to know. D4 is the most dense breast, and is therefore harder to detect cancer. If you are at high risk for breast cancer and have very dense (D4) breast, consider having a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test in addition to mammogram.

Delores-stop in and say "hi" to my parents, and good health to you.

Joanie-God bless you for being able to talk about your cancer. You've made such a big step forward, and as you describe, don't feel so alone. The Komen.org website has a sounding board, so you can speak with other women about your and their experiences. There are 2 million of us who are breast cancer survivors, and I say that with great pride. When I'm in Wakefield over the Fourth, we will need to connect. Peace be with you.

Deb-your hub is very strong, and your supportive husband and children know that you'll be there for them. Hug them and continue to love them, as they love you.

roryzv/Lori-thanks for the voting attempts. At the end of the day on Friday, someone will have the most votes; but I believe we have all been winners:
BJ surviving a car accident, Robin overcoming heart symptoms and divorce, Caron overcoming pain , Kate surviving a stroke. and me surviving breast cancer. Every day I can hug my sons and tell them I love them, I consider myself a winner. This contest was never about me, but you-taking your health seriously, and becoming your own picture of health.
God bless.
Janet

I'm so PROUD of Janet for how she lives her life and touches others!!!!

jANET:

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE GREAT WORK WHICH YOU ARE DOING AND THE STRENGTH WHICH YOU HAVE DISPLAYED AND DELIVERED. yOU ARE INDEED A winner no matter how this contest turns out.
I am proud of you.

Jennie BUtton, D.O.