When wearing a bra became uncomfortable for Paige McFall, she knew something was up.

So in October 2022, she contacted Dr. Mark Ray, her OB-GYN, who ordered a mammogram and ultrasound. Both tests returned normal results.

When Paige went for her annual office visit with Dr. Ray in February, she had her regularly scheduled mammogram. “I just knew something was wrong, so I didn’t say, ‘I just had a mammogram four months ago, and it’s a miracle but they didn’t say it either,’” says the 58-year-old from Corinth.

When that mammogram revealed some suspicious spots, Dr. Ray referred Paige to North Mississippi Medical Center’s Breast Care Center for a stereotactic breast biopsy, which uses mammogram images from different angle to determine the exact location for the biopsy. A sample of breast tissue is then removed with a needle.

Paige was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), in which the cells that line the breast’s milk ducts have become cancer but have not spread into surrounding breast tissue.

“I had prepared myself that the news was not going to be good,” Paige says. “When I got the diagnosis, my husband was surprised that I didn’t cry. But I go into defense mode—I said, ‘I’m just going to deal with it and kick its butt.’ I just knew that I had to be well enough for my son’s wedding in June.”

Paige was referred to Dr. Danny Sanders at the NMMC Breast and General Surgery Clinic. Dr. Sanders explained that her cancer was nuclear grade 3—the type that grows the fastest.

Paige had a breast MRI to determine the extent of the cancer. Because the cancer covered most of her breast, it would be difficult to spare it.

“I knew it had to be fast growing because it went from not showing up in October to close to 5 centimeters by February,” she says.

Dr. Sanders discussed treatment options with Paige and her Cancer Care team. “I did a lot of research,” she says. “If I had a lumpectomy, I would be having biopsies all the time to keep a check on things. I didn’t want to go through that and I didn’t want to chance getting cancer in my other breast either, so I chose to have both breasts removed.”

Dr. Sanders recommended a nipple-sparing mastectomy, which allows for immediate breast reconstruction after removal. This procedure removes the entire breast through a small incision, saving the nipple, areolar complex and skin. With this procedure, the scar is hidden underneath the breast.

While she was still in surgery after the mastectomy, plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Bob Buckley began the breast reconstruction process. “For this option to be available in Tupelo is just incredible,” Paige says. “When I woke up from surgery and the bandages were removed, I looked like myself.”

After reconstruction, Paige had to have fluid removal. “Dr. Buckley would meet me on the weekends to drain if I was uncomfortable,” Paige says. “He is such a dedicated doctor. He went above and beyond to make sure I was okay.”

Except for a few days off to recover from surgery, Paige was able to continue in her job as an IT manager. She worked from home for three months while she healed.

As awful as it all was, Paige knows she is indeed fortunate. “If I had skipped that second mammogram, it would have been really bad. I shudder to think about it,” she says. “Mammograms are not optional. You just can’t afford to miss them.”