November 9, 2025 • 10 mins
In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Dr. Kristina Gaunt, MD, co-director of the Trinity Health Breast Center – Lakes Village, in Norton Shores.
In Michigan, it is estimated that approximately 9,900 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer each year, according to 2025 data from the State of Michigan.
Dr. Gaunt joined us on the program to remind us about the importance of early detection for breast cancer, and to also dispel some common misconceptions about the second most likely type of cancer for women after skin cancer.
We also learned that breast cancer is the most common cancer among Michigan women and the second-leading cause of cancer death in the state. In fact, 2025 data from the State of Michigan shows that 9,900 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in the state. It’s also Worth noting that between 70% and 75% of breast cancer diagnoses in Michigan since 2011 have been at an early stage.
And as Dr. Gaunt reminded us, it is critically important to catch breast cancer at its earliest stages, and mammograms are making a huge difference with early detection.
What We Know About Breast Cancer:
Symptoms to Watch For:
In Michigan, it is estimated that approximately 9,900 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer each year, according to 2025 data from the State of Michigan.
Dr. Gaunt joined us on the program to remind us about the importance of early detection for breast cancer, and to also dispel some common misconceptions about the second most likely type of cancer for women after skin cancer.
We also learned that breast cancer is the most common cancer among Michigan women and the second-leading cause of cancer death in the state. In fact, 2025 data from the State of Michigan shows that 9,900 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in the state. It’s also Worth noting that between 70% and 75% of breast cancer diagnoses in Michigan since 2011 have been at an early stage.
And as Dr. Gaunt reminded us, it is critically important to catch breast cancer at its earliest stages, and mammograms are making a huge difference with early detection.
What We Know About Breast Cancer:
- Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women after skin cancer.
- 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed in her lifetime
- Men can also get breast cancer, though it’s rare (about 1 in 100 cases).
- Routine mammograms are the first step.
- Risk factors include being female, age 50+, family history, and BRCA1/BRCA2 gene mutations.
- Mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer early.
- Annual screenings should start at age 40 and earlier if you have a family history of breast cancer.
Symptoms to Watch For:
- Changes in breast size or shape
- Pain in any area of the breast
- Nipple discharge (including blood)
- New lumps in the breast or underarm
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
This is iHeartRadio's West Michigan Weekend. West Michigan Weekend is
a weekly program designed to inform and enlighten on a
wide range of public policy issues, as well as news
and current events. Now here's your host, Phil Tower.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Well, everybody knows, or you should know, there's so much
focus placed on the month of October as breast cancer
Awareness month. We thought we packed so much into this program.
We've thought, why not talk about it because it's incredibly
important topic. It impacts thousands of people here in Michigan,
thousands of people. And if you multiply that with a
(00:37):
person diagnosed with breast cancer and their families, their relatives,
are friends, it impacts millions of people. It is a
big topic because it impacts so many people. And on
our line to talk about breast cancer awareness is doctor
Christina Gaunt, MD, co director of the Trinity Health Breast
Center Lakes Village in Norton Shores. There's a lot to
(01:00):
unpack here. We've just got a couple of minutes. Doctor Gaunt.
First of all, thank you for taking the time to catch.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
Up with us.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
Absolutely, thank you so much for having me. I'm excited
to be able to answer some questions about breast cancer.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Okay, this is the lightning round, so we'll go quick,
but we're going to cover the basics here. I think
one of the questions that a lot of people have is,
you know, the most common types of diagnosis. There are
different states we hear about different stages of cancer. I
saw some statistics that said just under ten thousand women
(01:31):
doctor Gaunt in the state of Michigan alone we're diagnosed
with breast cancer. That's an annual basis. That number obviously
can fluctuate depending on year to year. But let's talk
about that in terms of diagnosis and just understanding the
implications of having breast cancer.
Speaker 4 (01:52):
How do you think.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Patients are doing the patients you see, are they coming
in educated or do they still have a lot of questions?
Speaker 3 (01:59):
You know, that's an interesting question, and it really depends
on where you're diagnosed. So we're very lucky and Mistigan
actually to have the breastner that we do, because as
soon as there is a diagnosis of breast cancer, that
patient is being contacted by a nurse navigator. Nurse navigators
are really important in kind of prepping that discussion that
(02:23):
I have with them, or that the oncologists have with
the patient, and so the patients are coming in with
a kind of a loose understanding of what's going on.
They oftentimes know if they've got a ductile carcinoma insight
to which that's a stage zero breast cancer or a
non invasive breast cancer, or they know if they have
(02:45):
an invasive breast cancer and if it's ductile or lobular,
so they have an idea of the kind of type
that they've been diagnosed with, and then they typically know
some information about whether or not it's hormone responsive. Then
they have an idea there's any evidence of limp node involvement.
So they're coming in with a bit of education, but
(03:05):
still not knowing exactly what they're going to be choosing
as far as surgical care may go.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
Interesting to note on my well prepared fact sheet here,
breast cancer is the most common cancer among women American women,
after skin cancer. One in eight are diagnosed in their lifetime,
one person every two minutes. I think a lot of
people would have thought that breast cancer was number one.
Speaker 4 (03:31):
Did it used to be number one?
Speaker 3 (03:33):
No, it is kind of the most common main organ cancer.
Skin is the largest organ, but if you really get
down and dirty into cancer diagnoses skin cancers by far
and away the highest number, but breast cancer is probably
the most publicized and the one that we hear about
(03:54):
the most. But that's from the American Cancer Society information,
so that is up to date information.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
You know, doctor gun I've known of friends. I've had
friends diagnosed with breast cancer as early as their mid
to late thirties. Typical risk factors being over fifty for
a female having a family history. There's also some gene
mutations that come into play.
Speaker 4 (04:17):
Can you talk about those as well.
Speaker 3 (04:19):
Yeah, So there's some that are really widely known, which
is BRCA one in two or BRACA one and two,
So those are really high risk of developing a breast
cancer in the lifetime, those patients have a sixty to
eighty percent risk of developing a breast cancer. But there
are a number of other genetic mutations that are actually
(04:39):
very common in my practice, something called CHECK two or
PLB two, or some people have heard of Lynch syndrome.
So some of these will increase of patient's lifetime risk
of around twenty to thirty percent, depending on the part
of the gene that has a mutation, and so those
(05:01):
oftentimes will recommend increased screening. Not necessarily big surgeries like
what people are used to hearing about with BRAKKA one
and BRAKA two, but certainly is an option for a
lot of these patients. Now, one thing I really want
to make sure that people understand is that genetic mutations
are definitely a risk backer, but that's only going to
(05:24):
be about ten to fifteen percent of breast cancers. Most
breast cancers are what we call sporadic or have absolutely
nothing to do with your family history.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
Very interesting, doctor Christina Gaunt with US co director of
the Trinity Health Breast Center Lakes Village in Norton Shores.
As we're talking about breast cancer and breast cancer awareness,
it's interesting to note that between seventy to seventy five
percent of breast cancer diagnoses in Michigan since twenty eleven.
Speaker 4 (05:54):
Have been early stage.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
I was just going to ask mammograms, doctor Ganna. Probably
the most obvious way to catch breast cancer self examinations,
which are recommended that women do. That surprises me, though,
that most breast cancer is caught at an early stage.
That's just because of better medicine, better detection learning through the.
Speaker 3 (06:17):
Years, and that's because of mammograms. So mano grams are
are widely recognized as the only screening exam to decrease
mortality from breast cancer, and they have gotten better and
better with time and with education and programs such as
(06:38):
this getting the word out about getting your mammogram, and
just also the ease of getting your mammogram. Now the
Trinity Health my chart app, you can get on there
and schedule yourself a mammogram. It's very very easy to
get it done and schedule it on your own time,
which is important for a lot of people. But it
(06:59):
allows us to catch things early. I've had patients come
to my office with cancers that are as small as
three millimeters in size, which is tiny, smaller than the
you know, the end of a pen, you know, And
these are the kinds of cancers that we're catching.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Mammograms are recommended for women forty and older. Anytime that
should be younger for a woman maybe with a familial history.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
Yes, so if a patient has a family member that
was diagnosed, say at age forty, then we do recommend
starting screening studies ten years prior than the youngest diagnosis
in your immediate family. So we certainly take, you know,
early age breast cancers in the family into account when
(07:48):
we recommend screening.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
Doctor Christina with Us, co director of the Trinity Health
Breas Center, Lake's Village with Us on West Michigan weekend. Okay,
I've got a couple of minutes left. Is someone listening
has an interest in getting a getting checked for breast cancer,
but they're at that age where they've never had a mammogram,
but they've just got maybe a regular primary care doctor.
(08:11):
How do they get referred to an expert like you
or what would be the next.
Speaker 4 (08:15):
Next logical step, Doctor Gaunt.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
Yeah, so oftentimes you can actually just get on the
app and schedule one yourself. You don't need a referral
for a mammogram. If you don't, if you aren't sure
and you need to check your insurance, the easiest thing
is to contact your primary care provider and request in order.
That should be a very very easy thing for them
(08:39):
to do. That shouldn't require any sort of appointment to
get done. You shouldn't have to be evaluated by any
provider to order a mammogram.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Historically, mammograms have gotten better in terms of accuracy, and
I know because I know my wife has complained. Some
women complain about it being uncomfortable or you know, just
painful in terms of the process. But that's improved as well.
Speaker 4 (09:03):
Correct.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
It is better for some women, especially with dense breasts.
As you are smaller breast sides, there's still going to
be a mild amount of discomfort that is associated with it.
But at the end of the day, it is well
worth it to be diagnosed early. It gives me so
many more options for your treatment plan, and overall it
decreases mortality.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
Well, I know you are passionate about this, and I
hope this will help compel some people who have not
had a mammogram, who are in that age range doctor
Gaunt to get out there and get a mammogram schedule.
Speaker 4 (09:37):
Like you said, it's so easy just to.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
Do it in the Trinity Health app any final words
of wisdom or things I didn't mention that you wanted
to share with our audience real quick, Yeah, I.
Speaker 3 (09:46):
Think the most important thing about breast cancer is that
even though it's a scary diagnosis, there is a huge
community of support surrounding anyone with a diagnosis and just
remembering that you're not alone. And so even though it
can be scary to find out something bad, there are
so many support systems available to patients and we are
(10:08):
very very much here for you to help you get
through all of it. And we hope that patients continue
to get their screening so we can continue to help
them at an early stage.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
Yeah, we are so fortunate to have the resources we have.
Speaker 4 (10:22):
And I'm so glad you said that.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
Doctor Christina Gone with us here on West Michigan Weekend
Trinity Health Breast Center co director Lake's Village. She's been
our guest on this segment of West Michigan Weekend from iHeartRadio.
Thank you so much for your time, Doctor Gone.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
You've been listening to iHeartRadio's West Michigan Weekend. West Michigan
Weekend is a production of Wood Radio and iHeartRadio
This is iHeartRadio's West Michigan Weekend. West Michigan Weekend is
a weekly program designed to inform and enlighten on a
wide range of public policy issues, as well as news
and current events. Now here's your host, Phil Tower.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Well, everybody knows, or you should know, there's so much
focus placed on the month of October as breast cancer
Awareness month. We thought we packed so much into this program.
We've thought, why not talk about it because it's incredibly
important topic. It impacts thousands of people here in Michigan,
thousands of people. And if you multiply that with a
(00:37):
person diagnosed with breast cancer and their families, their relatives,
are friends, it impacts millions of people. It is a
big topic because it impacts so many people. And on
our line to talk about breast cancer awareness is doctor
Christina Gaunt, MD, co director of the Trinity Health Breast
Center Lakes Village in Norton Shores. There's a lot to
(01:00):
unpack here. We've just got a couple of minutes. Doctor Gaunt.
First of all, thank you for taking the time to catch.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
Up with us.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
Absolutely, thank you so much for having me. I'm excited
to be able to answer some questions about breast cancer.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Okay, this is the lightning round, so we'll go quick,
but we're going to cover the basics here. I think
one of the questions that a lot of people have is,
you know, the most common types of diagnosis. There are
different states we hear about different stages of cancer. I
saw some statistics that said just under ten thousand women
(01:31):
doctor Gaunt in the state of Michigan alone we're diagnosed
with breast cancer. That's an annual basis. That number obviously
can fluctuate depending on year to year. But let's talk
about that in terms of diagnosis and just understanding the
implications of having breast cancer.
Speaker 4 (01:52):
How do you think.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Patients are doing the patients you see, are they coming
in educated or do they still have a lot of questions?
Speaker 3 (01:59):
You know, that's an interesting question, and it really depends
on where you're diagnosed. So we're very lucky and Mistigan
actually to have the breastner that we do, because as
soon as there is a diagnosis of breast cancer, that
patient is being contacted by a nurse navigator. Nurse navigators
are really important in kind of prepping that discussion that
(02:23):
I have with them, or that the oncologists have with
the patient, and so the patients are coming in with
a kind of a loose understanding of what's going on.
They oftentimes know if they've got a ductile carcinoma insight
to which that's a stage zero breast cancer or a
non invasive breast cancer, or they know if they have
(02:45):
an invasive breast cancer and if it's ductile or lobular,
so they have an idea of the kind of type
that they've been diagnosed with, and then they typically know
some information about whether or not it's hormone responsive. Then
they have an idea there's any evidence of limp node involvement.
So they're coming in with a bit of education, but
(03:05):
still not knowing exactly what they're going to be choosing
as far as surgical care may go.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
Interesting to note on my well prepared fact sheet here,
breast cancer is the most common cancer among women American women,
after skin cancer. One in eight are diagnosed in their lifetime,
one person every two minutes. I think a lot of
people would have thought that breast cancer was number one.
Speaker 4 (03:31):
Did it used to be number one?
Speaker 3 (03:33):
No, it is kind of the most common main organ cancer.
Skin is the largest organ, but if you really get
down and dirty into cancer diagnoses skin cancers by far
and away the highest number, but breast cancer is probably
the most publicized and the one that we hear about
(03:54):
the most. But that's from the American Cancer Society information,
so that is up to date information.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
You know, doctor gun I've known of friends. I've had
friends diagnosed with breast cancer as early as their mid
to late thirties. Typical risk factors being over fifty for
a female having a family history. There's also some gene
mutations that come into play.
Speaker 4 (04:17):
Can you talk about those as well.
Speaker 3 (04:19):
Yeah, So there's some that are really widely known, which
is BRCA one in two or BRACA one and two,
So those are really high risk of developing a breast
cancer in the lifetime, those patients have a sixty to
eighty percent risk of developing a breast cancer. But there
are a number of other genetic mutations that are actually
(04:39):
very common in my practice, something called CHECK two or
PLB two, or some people have heard of Lynch syndrome.
So some of these will increase of patient's lifetime risk
of around twenty to thirty percent, depending on the part
of the gene that has a mutation, and so those
(05:01):
oftentimes will recommend increased screening. Not necessarily big surgeries like
what people are used to hearing about with BRAKKA one
and BRAKA two, but certainly is an option for a
lot of these patients. Now, one thing I really want
to make sure that people understand is that genetic mutations
are definitely a risk backer, but that's only going to
(05:24):
be about ten to fifteen percent of breast cancers. Most
breast cancers are what we call sporadic or have absolutely
nothing to do with your family history.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
Very interesting, doctor Christina Gaunt with US co director of
the Trinity Health Breast Center Lakes Village in Norton Shores.
As we're talking about breast cancer and breast cancer awareness,
it's interesting to note that between seventy to seventy five
percent of breast cancer diagnoses in Michigan since twenty eleven.
Speaker 4 (05:54):
Have been early stage.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
I was just going to ask mammograms, doctor Ganna. Probably
the most obvious way to catch breast cancer self examinations,
which are recommended that women do. That surprises me, though,
that most breast cancer is caught at an early stage.
That's just because of better medicine, better detection learning through the.
Speaker 3 (06:17):
Years, and that's because of mammograms. So mano grams are
are widely recognized as the only screening exam to decrease
mortality from breast cancer, and they have gotten better and
better with time and with education and programs such as
(06:38):
this getting the word out about getting your mammogram, and
just also the ease of getting your mammogram. Now the
Trinity Health my chart app, you can get on there
and schedule yourself a mammogram. It's very very easy to
get it done and schedule it on your own time,
which is important for a lot of people. But it
(06:59):
allows us to catch things early. I've had patients come
to my office with cancers that are as small as
three millimeters in size, which is tiny, smaller than the
you know, the end of a pen, you know, And
these are the kinds of cancers that we're catching.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Mammograms are recommended for women forty and older. Anytime that
should be younger for a woman maybe with a familial history.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
Yes, so if a patient has a family member that
was diagnosed, say at age forty, then we do recommend
starting screening studies ten years prior than the youngest diagnosis
in your immediate family. So we certainly take, you know,
early age breast cancers in the family into account when
(07:48):
we recommend screening.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
Doctor Christina with Us, co director of the Trinity Health
Breas Center, Lake's Village with Us on West Michigan weekend. Okay,
I've got a couple of minutes left. Is someone listening
has an interest in getting a getting checked for breast cancer,
but they're at that age where they've never had a mammogram,
but they've just got maybe a regular primary care doctor.
(08:11):
How do they get referred to an expert like you
or what would be the next.
Speaker 4 (08:15):
Next logical step, Doctor Gaunt.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
Yeah, so oftentimes you can actually just get on the
app and schedule one yourself. You don't need a referral
for a mammogram. If you don't, if you aren't sure
and you need to check your insurance, the easiest thing
is to contact your primary care provider and request in order.
That should be a very very easy thing for them
(08:39):
to do. That shouldn't require any sort of appointment to
get done. You shouldn't have to be evaluated by any
provider to order a mammogram.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Historically, mammograms have gotten better in terms of accuracy, and
I know because I know my wife has complained. Some
women complain about it being uncomfortable or you know, just
painful in terms of the process. But that's improved as well.
Speaker 4 (09:03):
Correct.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
It is better for some women, especially with dense breasts.
As you are smaller breast sides, there's still going to
be a mild amount of discomfort that is associated with it.
But at the end of the day, it is well
worth it to be diagnosed early. It gives me so
many more options for your treatment plan, and overall it
decreases mortality.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
Well, I know you are passionate about this, and I
hope this will help compel some people who have not
had a mammogram, who are in that age range doctor
Gaunt to get out there and get a mammogram schedule.
Speaker 4 (09:37):
Like you said, it's so easy just to.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
Do it in the Trinity Health app any final words
of wisdom or things I didn't mention that you wanted
to share with our audience real quick, Yeah, I.
Speaker 3 (09:46):
Think the most important thing about breast cancer is that
even though it's a scary diagnosis, there is a huge
community of support surrounding anyone with a diagnosis and just
remembering that you're not alone. And so even though it
can be scary to find out something bad, there are
so many support systems available to patients and we are
(10:08):
very very much here for you to help you get
through all of it. And we hope that patients continue
to get their screening so we can continue to help
them at an early stage.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
Yeah, we are so fortunate to have the resources we have.
Speaker 4 (10:22):
And I'm so glad you said that.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
Doctor Christina Gone with us here on West Michigan Weekend
Trinity Health Breast Center co director Lake's Village. She's been
our guest on this segment of West Michigan Weekend from iHeartRadio.
Thank you so much for your time, Doctor Gone.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
You've been listening to iHeartRadio's West Michigan Weekend. West Michigan
Weekend is a production of Wood Radio and iHeartRadio
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