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Fifteen years ago, Paula Jones was diagnosed with stage IIIC triple-negative breast cancer. She was treated at MD Anderson and describes the care she received as ¡°life-changing.¡±

Today, she is enrolled in the Mammography Certificate Program offered through MD Anderson¡¯s School of Health Professions. She¡¯s training as an apprentice to become a mammography technologist.

¡°I just feel so strongly about MD Anderson¡¯s mission,¡± she says. ¡°Their active involvement in treating patients and their level of patient care made a huge difference to me while I was dealing with anxiety around treatment. I want to offer that same comfort to others.¡± ?

Early breast cancer screening due to family history

Paula lost her mother to breast cancer when she was 7 years old. Because of her family history, she started getting screened for breast cancer in her mid-20s. She got her mammograms fairly regularly and watched for changes in her breasts.

During a routine mammogram in February 2010, the tech found a small spot on Paula¡¯s left breast. She then had a breast ultrasound and an MRI. After a biopsy, Paula was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. She was 43.

¡°The mammography tech worked really hard to get adequate imaging. I¡¯m so grateful for her effort in providing me with a thorough exam because that¡¯s how the tumor was discovered,¡± she says. ¡°Even knowing exactly where the tumor was, the doctor said he could not feel it. So, it¡¯s not something we would have found during a clinical breast exam or that I could¡¯ve felt on my own.¡±

Paula had two children, ages 11 and 13, and didn¡¯t want them to spend their teenage years focused on their mom having cancer. She lived in Texas and knew MD Anderson specialized in treating cancer. So, she told her gynecologist she wanted to be treated at MD Anderson.

MD Anderson treats triple-negative breast cancer

Paula had her first appointment at MD Anderson in May 2010. Breast medical oncologist , went over her treatment plan.

She started with chemotherapy. She enrolled in a clinical trial that was evaluating whether adding an additional oral drug to the chemotherapy regimen would improve treatment outcomes. But she was randomized to the control arm, so she didn¡¯t receive the extra medication.

¡°I remember telling Dr. Buzdar that I have seven years to get my youngest child out of high school,¡± she says. ¡°Anything beyond seven years would be icing on the cake.¡±

Paula completed six months of chemo. She had a double mastectomy on Nov. 3, 2010, and started radiation therapy in January 2011. ?

Paula carries the BRCA1 mutation, which increases her risk for developing ovarian cancer. So, she had a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes as a way to reduce her ovarian cancer risk.

¡°Having lost my mom to breast cancer at such a young age, I had a lot of fear and anxiety around my diagnosis,¡± she says. ¡°I appreciate MD Anderson for getting me on a treatment plan right away. They were so supportive. That was a life-changer for me because I realized I had people on my side.¡±

Supporting MD Anderson patients and raising breast cancer awareness ?

With her husband nearing retirement age and their children grown and out of the house, Paula had some decisions about what the next chapter of her life would look like.

¡°I¡¯ve done accounting for 30 years, and I didn¡¯t want to do it for the rest of my life,¡± she says. ¡°Between my mom dying when I was so young, being diagnosed with breast cancer, carrying the BRCA1 mutation and learning my daughter carries it as well, I wanted to do something to help others. And I really believe in MD Anderson¡¯s mission.¡±

So, she decided to pursue a career as a mammography technologist. MD Anderson¡¯s School of Health Professions offers a certificate program and apprenticeship. She started the apprenticeship in January 2025.

¡°It¡¯s an intensive learning environment and more hands-on,¡± she says. ¡°The apprenticeship appealed to me because as an older student, it gives me that extra bit of support, education and training.¡±

Paula appreciates how supportive everyone in the program is. She says no question ever goes unanswered. Everyone works as a team.

She understands the crucial role a mammography technologist plays in breast cancer screening and prevention.

¡°It¡¯s our images that start the diagnostic process,¡± she says. ¡°My tech¡¯s desire to do a good job saved my life over 15 years ago.¡±

Paula will complete her apprenticeship in February 2026. She¡¯s excited to make an impact at MD Anderson and encourage women to get their mammograms.

¡°I know it¡¯s not the most comfortable thing to do, but if I can provide a gentle hand on the shoulder, a reassuring hug or even just say the words, ¡®You¡¯re going to be OK,¡¯ I¡¯m happy to do that,¡± she says. ¡°I¡¯m here because of the amazing care I received at MD Anderson. It is important for me to be part of their mission. They¡¯re doing wonderful work.¡± ???

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