Point Loman to be honored at Race for the Cure, Nov. 3

Linda Welby, a resident of Point Loma and former Might1090AM radio host, was named “San Diego’s Honorary Breast Cancer Survivor” by Komen San Diego for the 23rd annual Race for the Cure, 8-10:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, in Balboa Park. (Start: 6th Ave. at Palm St.)

After skipping her annual mammogram for five years, Welby felt a lump in her breast and was diagnosed with aggressive Stage III breast cancer. Fortunately, after a successful surgery and 12 weeks of chemotherapy, she is in remission. Welby’s former colleagues formed a Race for the Cure team in her honor and raised $20,000.

“I want my story to inspire as many women as possible to get screened,” Welby explaind. “You must be your own advocate. Your life is too important not to.”

Dr. Cheryl Olsen at Scripps-La Jolla removed Welby’s tumor, but due to the severity of her condition, she had to undergo 12 weeks of chemotherapy under the direction of Dr. Sabina Wallach. The treatment drugs used were Taxotere and Tamoxifen, both developed by Susan G. Komen research funding.

After her diagnosis, Welby was told she has dense breasts. Studies reveal women with high breast density have four to five times higher risk of breast cancer compared to women with low breast density. In 2011, Komen San Diego helped pass a law in California requiring doctors to send a letter notifying patients after their mammogram if they have dense breast tissue so patients may seek other types of imaging and screening tests.

To learn more or register for the event, visit komensandiego.org/walk