At the age of 100, Layne Horwich received a stage one breast cancer diagnosis. Doctors confirmed the diagnosis when Horwich’s granddaughter went for a mammogram.
However, she continued to fight despite her advanced age.
“I wanted it out,” Horwich stated. “I was so happy I didn’t have a stroke or a heart attack because I would have been incapacitated.”
Horwich credits her continued physical activity and a little bit of good fortune for her long life and good health.
“I did play tennis until I was 92, and I think that was good. I was active,” she stated.
Horwich had treatment choices because of her busy lifestyle and good health, according to her oncologist, Dr. Catherine Pesce.
“Many 100-year-olds would probably choose to do nothing, and we talked about that as an option,” Pesce, the division chief for surgical oncology at Endeavor Health stated. “Another option was to take a medication called endocrine therapy. It’s a pill form of medication, which can help slow the growth of the breast cancer. Third option was surgery.”
Horwich immediately realized what she had to do.
“She had done her own research and learned that the pill form of the medication could cause hair thinning, and she told me by no means did she want that because she went to the beauty parlor every week,” Pesce stated.
Horwich had a successful lumpectomy and didn’t need chemotherapy or radiation therapy afterward.
“For her age, she is so extraordinarily healthy. I knew she would tolerate a relatively minor surgery,” Pesce stated.
“I have a picture of me coming out after the surgery, and it’s really funny because it doesn’t look like anything happened,” Horwich stated.
Pesce claims that although Horwich is her first patient beyond 100, the danger of breast cancer rises with age.
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“I hope women will see this story about her and learn it’s okay to continue being proactive about your health,” Pesce stated. “In general, my advice is if I think you’re going to live another five years, keep getting mammograms annually.”
Horwich recently passed her driving test and celebrated her 101st birthday in May. She intends to be self-sufficient and continue to spend time with her seven granddaughters, seven great-grandchildren, and three daughters.
By sharing her story, she intends to change the world and encourage other women to take charge of their health.
