WOMEN WHO INSPIRE
TAKING CHARGE OF HER HEALTH
Cindy Dineen rediscovers exercise after cancer diagnosis
By VICKI BENNINGTON
There’s nothing like a health worry to jumpstart an
exercise routine.
Cindy Dineen of South City St. Louis was shocked in
2012 to be told she had breast cancer at the age of 38.
Luckily, it was caught very early. After the initial scare,
she was diagnosed with Stage 0 – Ductal Carcinoma In
Situ. This meant it was contained in the milk ducts and
was non-invasive. Her prognosis was good.
She had a lumpectomy and radiation treatments and was
given basically, a clean bill of health.
Cindy started working out at The Heights Community
Center in Richmond Heights, Missouri with the Young
Women’s Breast Cancer Survivor’s group to stay strong
and network with others in her same situation. The
survivor’s group at The Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center
at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University
School of Medicine offers free programming for young
adults with cancer.
“I hadn’t really worked out for about 15 years,” Cindy
said. “The first time I went to the class was after my
radiation treatments, and everyone works at their own
level. The class really got me back into exercising, and
now I love it.”
There, she has met many sur vivors who have had
similar experiences.
“We all talk to each other, and sometimes we work in
two-person teams that helps everyone get to know each
other – and support each other,” she said.
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Cindy had previously been diagnosed with atypical
ductal hyperplasia, which put her at a higher risk for
developing breast cancer. Because of that, she had had
one mammogram prior to her diagnosis, even though
she was younger than the American Cancer Society’s
guidelines to receive a baseline mammogram at age 40.
Cindy was also given an ACS questionnaire. She scored
a 29 out of 30, which prompted her doctor to order an
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), a test that would
help Cindy’s physician look more closely at her breast
tissue. That’s when the cancer cells were detected.
GAZELLE STL
Working out at The Heights