Family history motivates Molly Kelly Steeves
ROME, Ga., April 20, 2023 – Molly Kelly Steeves knew there was a deadly history of breast cancer in her family. Fortunately, she turned to the experts at the Breast Center at Atrium Health Floyd to monitor her health and find peace of mind.
“My paternal grandmother and aunt both had breast cancer and died of breast cancer, and they died pretty young," Steeves, 42, said when asked about her decision to seek genetic screening at the center. She said the issue arose when her father started seeing a new physician, who asked about his family history.
After hearing about the breast cancer deaths in his family, the doctor suggested that he undergo genetic testing. When the results came back, he learned that he had the CHEK2 mutation.
“So I went and had it done at The Breast Center. It was really easy," Steeves said. “I got it back and I was indeed positive for the CHEK2 mutation, which comes with a higher risk of breast cancer."
She now gets a mammogram and an MRI once a year just to be proactive. The diagnostic tests give radiologists different pieces of information that help them assess her breast health. She is also impressed with LaDonna Holcomb, a nurse practitioner at The Breast Center.
“LaDonna is so great. You can tell she loves what she does," Steeves said. “She explained everything to me simply prior to my blood test and when my results were in she was so calm and understanding. She has been there when I have questions. She was so great when I referred friends for the genetic testing."
Holcomb has worked at Floyd for 12 years. She has 38 years of experience in the medical field and has worked for 15 years as a nurse practitioner.
Like all of the nurse practitioners at The Breast Center, Holcomb is a graduate of the Clinical Cancer Genetics training program at City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, California, and has undergone extensive training and ongoing annual education in cancer genetics.
The amenities at The Breast Center are another plus for Steeves.
“It is incredible. When they walk in, they give you these pretty, pink robes. It's like going to the spa, and it makes it feel not scary. It is just comforting and calm. Everybody is super sweet," Steeves said.
She said most of her friends are very health conscious. Since she tends to be an open book about most things, she is passionate about spreading the word about The Breast Center's services.
“I have a friend whose mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I told her all about getting genetic testing. She did and thankfully she did not have it. I tell everybody," said Steeves, a local Realtor.
Her battle with cancer extends to her service as treasurer for Cancer Navigators. The nonprofit organization works with community partners to provide support for local cancer patients.
About Atrium Health Floyd
The Atrium Health Floyd family of health care services is a leading medical provider and economic force in northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama. Atrium Health Floyd is part of Charlotte, North Carolina-based Advocate Health, the fifth-largest nonprofit health system in the United States, created from the combination of Atrium Health and Advocate Aurora Health. Atrium Health Floyd employs more than 3,5 00 teammates who provide care in over 40 medical specialties at three hospitals: Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center – a 304-bed full-service, acute care hospital and regional referral center in Rome, Georgia; Atrium Health Floyd Polk Medical Center in Cedartown, Georgia; and Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center in Centre, Alabama; as well as Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center Behavioral Health – a freestanding 53-bed behavioral health facility in Rome – and also primary care and urgent care network locations throughout northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama.
About Advocate Health
Advocate Health is the fifth-largest nonprofit integrated health system in the United States – created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois, Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama, and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health serves nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs nearly 150,000 team members across 67 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations and offers one of the nation's largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides nearly $5 billion in annual community benefits.