Mammography tech practices what she preaches, discovers breast cancer

BATH COUNTY (WSLS 10) – Mammography technician Ruth Craft has been preaching the importance of mammograms for years.

“It’s very very important to get your mammogram every year. I had my mammogram every year on time,” she said.

Ruth and Jo, another mammography technician at Bath Community Hospital, perform each others mammogram every year. Last June 19th was no different.

“I had what was known as calcifications. Little teeny, tiny specs they had changed. And they had changed numbers in just a year they had changed,” Craft explained.

A biopsy was ordered, but she says she wasn’t overly concerned.

“I went to the biopsy with the idea that it’s going to be okay because a lot of people have biopsies and they are okay,” she recalled.

But Ruth, who was always dedicated to helping her patients through their screenings and call backs, was later diagnosed with breast cancer.

“Having the cancer, that particular cancer makes you even more dedicated,” she said.

She was sick and going through chemotherapy, but set a goal then to take part in the April 9, 2016 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

“A mile is not long for some people. A mile’s a lot for me.”

Ruth set her goal and asked two other coworkers to be part of the team. The Bath Community Hospital team now stands at 33.

They’ll be in Roanoke Saturday for the 7th annual run and walk at Rivers Edge Sports Complex on Reserve Avenue.

Online, individual registration ends Thursday, April 7 at 11:59 p.m. Race day registration begins at 6:30 a.m.

The race starts at 9 am.