Dressed in a large pink flat brimmed western hat with matching high heels, Donna Bowers addressed a packed ballroom full of other colorful hats Sept. 27 at the UT Health East Texas Breast Cancer Survivor Summit in Tyler.
Cancer survivors, like Bowers, along with current fighters and families gathered at the Green Acres Baptist Church Crosswalk Conference Center for the “Hats off to You” themed summit to learn about new treatment advancements, patient resources and community support while dressed in their favorite hats. The summit kicked off the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is recognized locally and across the nation each October.
“When women who have breast cancer or they’re going through their journey can get around other women who have gone through the same thing, it helps them understand what they’re going through; what life is like after cancer,” said Bowers, a 27-year breast cancer survivor who works as the market leader for cardiovascular and breast imaging at UT Health East Texas. “You can survive it.”
The summit featured a panel of four medical professionals that discussed recent research and treatment breakthroughs and answered questions, a breakfast, door prizes, medical vendors that handed out resources, a performance by the Jarvis Christian University Choir and plenty of pink photo opportunities at no charge.
The second annual event since the pandemic brought in 400 registered guests from 8:30 a.m. to noon, doubling last year’s attendance, resulting in a location change.
“We’re going to just keep growing and growing — that means we’ve got more and more survivors,” Bowers said.
Breast cancer is currently the second leading cause of cancer death in women globally, only second to lung cancer. Approximately one in eight women in the U.S. are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in her lifetime, with a recent spike in women under the age of 50 and one in 43 will die from the disease, according to an American Cancer Society report.
Bowers said seeing long-term survivors of 20 or 30 years becomes the most important part of the summit for her because it instills hope.
“Your first instinct when they tell you ‘You have breast cancer,’ is you’re going to die,” Bowers said. “And so it takes you a little while to realize that, maybe I can survive this and when you get to meet people like this, you realize that there’s a very good chance you’re going to survive this.”
Sharon Green, a breast cancer survivor in attendance, shared her diagnosis story and her new appreciation for her life and family.
“Every morning, before I get up out of bed, I open my eyes and (say) ‘Thank you Lord for another day,’” Green said during a video presentation. “I thank God for my family because I was never alone; I never went to treatment alone.”
Many survivors at the event agreed support from family and friends were the largest motivators for their cancer recovery journeys.
Regina Davis, director of the UT Health East Texas Hope Breast Centers and summit organizer, regularly advocates for women’s breast health and runs Pin-A-Sister. The education group helps African American women receive mammograms, which involves the mobile mammography van service that helps women in outlying areas receive access to breast health care since 2018.
“It is so important to celebrate these warriors who have bravely battled this disease,” Davis said. “This event allows survivors to connect with others who share their journey, while also gaining valuable insights and resources to support recovery and life beyond cancer.”
The largest new advancement in cancer research is tailored care, according to the summit’s medical panel.
Panelist Dr. Kavitha Donthireddy, hematologist and oncologist at UT Health East Texas Hope Cancer Center, discussed Tumor Prognostic Assays, which are tests on specific tumor characteristics that predict recurrence risk and if a patient will need chemotherapy or not. Before this breakthrough, she said many women automatically received chemo, but because of this test some women can now avoid chemo safely.
“I think, in my opinion, that is one of the best things,” Donthireddy said.
Certain types of breast cancer can be genetic, so the panel encouraged genetic testing to help early detection of six different genes that could lead to the cancer. Also, new treatments that target hormone and growth receptors are based on molecular features and not just where the cancer is or the tumor size, creating an improved survival rate, according to Donthireddy.
“The panel is a great way to bridge support and especially for people who are going through the treatments right now,” Bowers said. “All of this new and latest stuff will really have an impact on them.”
Throughout the remainder of the event, panelists walked around and answered questions from guests.
UT Health East Texas plans to open a new breast imaging center in March 2026, where it will be able to elevate the level of breast cancer care with more mammography and bone density units and turn the current building off of Olympic Plaza Circle, into the new medical education building.
“This event is all about awareness and getting early detection and knowledge,” Bowers said. “And this community here, shows me hope.”
For information about UT Health East Texas Hope Cancer Center, visit https://uthealtheasttexas.com/locations/east-texas-hope-cancer-center/.
About Leeza Meyer
New multimedia reporter at the Tyler Morning Telegraph. After graduating from UT Austin with my bachelor's degree in journalism, I found myself packing up and heading North East to the pine trees and roses. I love telling community stories and I am currently covering local politics. Raised in Texas, I understand the value of connected and informed communities and I'm excited to be here. Story ideas, questions, ect. are welcome at [email protected]
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