Jackson Mammography Technician Gives Hope to Women Battling Breast Cancer

Michelle McPhee, 55, a mammography technician at Jackson Memorial Hospital, never got to meet her grandmother, Ulysses Newbold. Michelle’s grandmother died at age 29, after losing a battle with breast cancer. As it turns out, it would take many years before McPhee realized that she and the grandparent that she never met shared a strong genetic bond.

“Back in that time, there weren’t many treatment options for breast cancer,” said McPhee, who has worked at Jackson Memorial for 34 years. “A breast cancer diagnosis was practically a death sentence.”

McPhee’s mother, Louise McPhee, was 8 when her mother, Ulysses, died of breast cancer. Later at age 28, Michelle’s mother Louise would also receive a devastating breast cancer diagnosis.

Louise had a mastectomy and went into remission, only for the cancer to come back a couple of years later. Louise again underwent a second mastectomy on the other breast.

“I grew up seeing my mother endure breast cancer,” said McPhee. “I saw her lose both of her breasts due to the disease. She was a fighter.”

McPhee’s mother managed to live cancer free until she died at the age of 55 due to unrelated causes. Her daughter could only remain hopeful that breast cancer was not in her future.

But at age 28 – the same age that her mother was diagnosed – Michelle McPhee, then a radiology technologist in the Jackson Memorial Emergency Room, felt a lump on her breast. It wasn’t until two months later than she saw a doctor and had it checked.

“I also received the same news as my mother and grandmother did around the same age,” said McPhee. “I also had breast cancer.”

McPhee underwent a lumpectomy and radiation. However, her ordeal was just beginning. Unfortunately, the cancer came back again three years later, when McPhee was 31. She again received a lumpectomy and radiation. At age 34, the cancer came back for a third time.  At that point, she underwent a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.

Today, McPhee is proud to be cancer free for 21 years. She attributes the courage that she found to overcome cancer not once, not twice, but three times, to her mother.

“My mother was my saving grace,” said McPhee. “She made it seem like cancer was not a big deal.  She was so active and strong.”

A third generation breast cancer survivor, Michelle McPhee has vigilantly watched over her daughter, Javaria Goss.

“When my daughter turned 28, we decided she should get genetic testing known as BRCA to see if she was at risk of getting breast cancer,” said McPhee.

Goss’ test results showed she too had inherited mutations in one of the two breast cancer susceptibility genes, and had a high risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

McPhee’s daughter immediately made the decision to undergo a preventive double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.

Now, eight years later, Goss is the mother of two children. She is healthy, happy, and believes she made the best decision for her health.

Michelle McPhee, who currently works as a mammography technician at Taylor Breast Health Center/Roberta Orlen Chaplin Digital Breast Imaging Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, has become an inspiration and provides hope to women who are currently battling breast cancer.

“I’m here for a reason,” said McPhee. “Whenever I tell patients that I beat breast cancer three times, and they see how upbeat I am, I know I inspire them and give them hope.”