TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Casey DeSantis, the wife of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
“I am saddened to report that Florida’s esteemed First Lady and my beloved wife has been diagnosed with breast cancer,” the first-term Republican governor said Monday in a statement.
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The governor and his 41-year-old wife, a former TV reporter and anchor in Jacksonville, have three children.
“As the mother of three young children, Casey is the centerpiece of our family and has made an impact on the lives of countless Floridians through her initiatives as First Lady,” the statement said. “As she faces the most difficult test of her life, she will have not only have my unwavering support but the support of our entire family, as well as the prayers and well wishes from Floridians across our state. Casey is a true fighter, and she will never, never, never give up.”
A native of Troy, Ohio, Casey DeSantis earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the College of Charleston.
The First Lady is also a three-time national champion equestrian, as well as a runner-up Division I NCAA champion.
Orlando Health offers a list of answers to frequently asked questions about mammograms. That list can be found by clicking here.
According to Orlando Health Oncologist, Dr. Nikita Shah, a woman getting diagnosed with breast cancer at age 41 is not uncommon, and in fact, has noticed breast cancer skewing younger in women.
“Unfortunately, this is very common,” Dr. Shah said. “Typically breast cancer is a disease of women who are older, so certainly under the age of 45 is considered young. We are seeing younger cases than we did before. Is it better detection? Is it better awareness? Is it a true increase? It’s probably all of the above.”
Not only is Dr. Shah seeing more younger patients with breast cancer, but she is seeing patients with larger masses as some women postponed their annual mammograms during the pandemic.
“I think people are beginning to get back to it, but we definitely saw last year people putting off mammograms,” Dr. Shah said. “What we are seeing as a result with that is a delayed diagnosis, patients presenting with larger masses.”
Reminding women, especially those over the age of 40 to get their annual mammograms.
“It is scary thinking what you might find out ahead, but it’s even scarier knowing that if there is a problem and you don’t do anything about it, it’s only going to get worse,” Dr. Shah said. “Breast cancer can occur at any age so again use this as a reminder if you haven’t had your mammogram and you are eligible to do it now.”
For more information on mammograms as provided by Orlando Health, click here.