In July, at age 43, Helton felt strongly that she should have her first mammogram, said Steve Helton.
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“She didn’t have a family history and no symptoms,” he said. “But she had a strong feeling that she needed to be checked.”
Jamy Helton went to a mobile testing unit at the Trenton library, where she could tell things didn’t check out quite right by the reactions. The personnel there told her to see her doctor, Steve Helton said.
Days later, after more testing and biopsy surgery, Helton learned she had breast cancer. In August, she underwent a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.
She learned earlier this month she will also have to undergo chemotherapy that will keep her away from work for six to eight months.
“She is incredibly strong,” Steve Helton said. “This is just life-changing for all of us. There is really no explanation for why she has cancer, but we feel strongly that the testing she got is giving us a fighting chance. We want to make sure everybody is aware and is getting testing done. Especially during breast cancer awareness this month.”
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Jamy Helton said the community support has been important to her.
“It’s been a really tough road in such a short amount of time,” Jamy Helton said. “I would really like to make sure that everyone who has supported me knows how much I appreciate it. It has meant the world to me to read so many comments from people in my community as well as people I went to Springboro High School with share their positive thoughts and prayers.”
She also stressed the importance of testing.
“I strongly feel if I had put off a mammogram any longer, it could have taken away many options for me, if not ultimately cost me my life,” she said.
She said making health a priority is important.
“I want others and especially men and women in the law enforcement community to please make their health a priority. It has taken this to open my eyes and I can not imagine working so hard to never reach retirement and be able to spend the time with my family that I have missed out on for so many years! My husband has been a rock and never missed an appointment. I am beyond lucky to have a great partner! We will be committed in the future to do all we can to bring awareness to breast cancer and other forms of cancer,” she said.
A GoFundMe account has been established for Helton to help and T-shirts designed by Jamy are beginning to pop up in the city, according to her husband.
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