Sheriff shares her story

With October designated as Breast Cancer Awareness month, Selma Community Hospital recently gave women a perspective on the importance of early detection.

Cancer can happen to the toughest of the tough.

On Sept. 15, Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims stood before an audience at the hospital as a living testament to the fact.

Mims, who had a double mastectomy in February and reconstruction surgery in September, talked to a crowd of women looking for answers.

Nationwide, it's estimated that 2.3 million women are currently living with a diagnosis of breast cancer, according to the organization, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

In California, it's estimated that just more than 21,000 women will develop breast cancer this year, according to figures provided by the Fresno County Public Health Department.

But during Mims' discussion last month, the sheriff talked about how to deal with cancer, from treatments to support groups.

"A lot of women call me and say, 'what should I do?'," said Mims, who added that she does all she can to share her story and pray for them, but that ultimately they have to make their personal decision about their care. "How old you are, how young you are, it all comes into play."

Mims' credits regular visits to the doctor for early detection, including annual appointments and scheduled biopsies.

When a spot came up that was malignant, Mims immediately started researching what to do next.

Undergoing a double mastectomy was seen as a more drastic treatment approach. Mims is now cancer-free and the cancer didn't spread to her lymph nodes, for which she is grateful.

Because of the surgery, chemotherapy treatments weren't necessary and the battle was won -- causing Mims' daughter to do a victory cheer when the two of them found out the results.

"The doctor came in with the pathology report," Mims said. "My daughter did a happy dance."

But even before her happy ending, throughout Mims' story of ups and downs, it was clear that the humor and the determination that got her elected Fresno County Sheriff was not lost.

"I've dodged bullets in my career more than once," Mims said smiling. The audience laughed with her, many of whom knew her.

One woman who had worked with Mims' father for a number of years called out from the audience, "You're a tough lady, you know that."

Mims thanked her family for keeping her strong, especially when it came to letting go and realizing that she had help.

"As you can imagine, I like being in control," Mims said. "I had to say, 'I can't do it by myself.' I had to know my limitations."

During her speech she thanked her husband, her children and grandchildren for strength.

Dr. Renee Charles said that it was Mims, and her story, that was going to be a true source of strength for women as they get regular check-ups and even deal with breast cancer.

"What it teaches is that things like this can happen to anyone," Charles said. "Breast cancer was put in a nutshell in a good way by a personal experience."

Charles then pointed to statistics to drive home the prevalence of breast cancer.

"One in eight to one in nine," Charles said of the chances of a woman being diagnosed with breast cancer. "It's there in terms of a lifetime. But how do you get rid of cancer? We can't."

Charles' discussion focused on what could be done as far as a change of diet and habits with how often someone seeks health care.

Stressing the importance of self examinations, Mims said being busy wasn't a good excuse to forget health.

"If I've got time, you've got time," Mims said.

But Mims' message of the night was even more powerful -- even pain makes you stronger if you take the opportunity to learn from it.

"Something we women do is second guess ourselves. There's a big sense of liberation to know that you made the decision with the information you have," Mims said. "Then you live with it. I'm moving forward."