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New Jersey's First Female State Trooper Defies Breast Cancer Diagnosis

  Gail Just approaches her health with the same no-nonsense attitude which made her a success in her law enforcement career. When an annual mammogram revealed that she had three tumors in one of her breasts, she immediately investigated her alternatives, selected a medical provider, and proceeded with a treatment plan. “I’m a retired state trooper and I tend to take things differently than most people,” remarked Just. “I decided we’re not going to use the word ‘scared.’”   Breast cancer is often a silent disease, with virtually no symptoms, but it is often completely curable if diagnosed in its early stages. In 1980, the national five-year survival rate for women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer was about 74%; today that number is 99%.   There are currently more than 4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.   One out of eight women will develop breast cancer, yet about 85% of these women have no family history of the disease.   A...
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Learn about the Legal Rights of the Elderly

  Project Self-Sufficiency will host an Elder Law seminar on Thursday, August 7th, 7:00 p.m. via Zoom, featuring attorneys Eileen Born and Karen Greco-Buta.   Legal issues faced by senior citizens will be discussed, including general estate planning, development of a will, advanced directions for healthcare, dealing with Medicare and Medicaid, caring for aging parents, and other issues.   The free seminar is open to the public; interested participants are invited to call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 for log-in details.  

Breast Cancer Survivor Credits Early Detection for Saving her Live

  Antoinette Dickson worked in the field of healthcare for more than 20 years, from doctor’s offices to the homes of ill individuals.   During that time, Dickson was diligent about staying current with her own healthcare needs, including receiving annual mammograms. With no family history of breast cancer and no discernible symptoms, Dickson was unconcerned when she was asked to return for additional testing following a routine screening at the age of 67.   Further testing, including an MRI, ultrasound, and a biopsy, revealed that she had a small ductal carcinoma, stage one.   Determined to be positive, Dickson noted emphatically, “I decided that this could be taken care of because it was so tiny, stage one, and there was no lymph node involvement.”   Breast cancer is often a silent disease, with virtually no symptoms, but it is often completely curable if diagnosed in its early stages. In 1980, the national five-year survival rate for women diagnosed with...