North Bay Woman

34 NORTH BAY WOMAN F A L L | W I N T E R 2 0 2 1 Breast Cancer Rates in Marin County Breast cancer diagnoses in Marin County have remained fairly stable over the last de- cade, but the incidence rate continues to be higher than the California average. Marin has the fourth highest rate of breast cancer incidence in the state for White, non-His- panic women and the third highest rate in the state for Asian, Pacific Islander women, according to the Marin County Department of Health and Hu- man Services. Between 2009-2018, the most recent timeframe for which data iss available, the age-adjusted, breast cancer in- cidence rate for White, non-His- panic women in Marin was 150 per 100,000 – higher than any other ethnic group. Statewide in 2018, the incidence rate was 121 per 100,000 for women of all ethnicities, according to the U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. Marin's mortality rates are among the lowest in the state thanks in part to a high mam- mography rate. Women without special risk factors are encour- aged to start annual breast cancer screenings at age 40 per the American Cancer Society. exercise program. I meditate every single day, I do acupuncture and everything I can to boost my immune system," Butler said. "I feel so blessed and grateful. I've always been happy about my life, but now it's way more extreme." Butler was di- agnosed in 1994 with stage 1 breast cancer and treated with surgery and chemotherapy. She celebrated her recovery by tap dancing her way down the runway at the foundation's fashion show and volunteering to run cancer support groups for many years. "I joined a sup- port group the first time around and am in one now. When you are with other people who have a diagnosis of cancer, then you almost don't even have to talk about it. People understand and what you do say is understood and accepted without judgment," Butler said. In 2019 the cancer returned in the form of a lump under her arm and was treated with oral medications, which stabilized the tumor until July of this year when a CT scan revealed the cancer was growing. She is cur- rently treating the cancer through medical injections and gathering sec- ond opinions from doctors. "When I was diagnosed the first time, I cried for a month. I cried when I woke up, when I went to sleep and when I looked at my children. I was in deep grief. This time, it sounds crazy, but there was less grief even though it's more serious and life-threatening," Butler said. Continuing to teach dance classes brings Butler an immense amount of joy and purpose, and helps her in the moments when she feels de- feated. "I feel so alive when I dance. Dance is so positive, and I want every person that I teach to be able to express themselves and feel fabulous, what- ever level they're at," Butler said. "I'm just so grateful that I can continue to dance, and I feel so lucky that I'm not incapacitated in any way and I can do everything that I want to do." n For more information about To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation, visit tocelebratelife.org. Above: Carol Butler celebrates her birthday on a trip to Santa Cruz with grandchildren Zoe, Zev, Max and Aya (from left). Below: Butler and husband Bill Leeman dance the night away at a party after surgery. – Photos courtesy of Carol Butler

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