Peachtree City and Fayetteville police unite in support for Terri Milburn

PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. - Police officers in Peachtree City and neighboring Fayetteville are showing their love and support for Terri Milburn. 

She is the wife of Peachtree City Police Chief Janet Moon. 

Doctors diagnosed Milburn with breast cancer back in November 2024 after a routine mammogram.

Tribute for Terri Milburn

What we know:

Officers at Moon’s department as well as neighboring Fayetteville have been wearing pink wrist bands in honor of Terri and her fight against breast cancer. It was the idea of Fayetteville chief Scott Gray. And it has been an uplifting tribute and Milburn says in itself healing.

"The overwhelming support, how could you not do well?" Milburn said. "Things are very good, and I am very fortunate to be going back to work soon."

Chief Moon added, "It brought a tear to both of our eyes and was just so touching."

Cancer diagnosis

The backstory:

Milburn has been a patient at Emory’s Winship Cancer Institute where she has been under the care of Dr. Ruth Sacks and others.

Terri was diagnosed last November with Ductal Carcinoma in Situ and then later the invasive form she says. A double mastectomy followed in January.

Milburn is a neurology nurse at Emory and says the transition to patient was difficult.

"It’s not an easy thing to say hey, I have breast cancer," she said. "It’s even hard to just say the word."

Getting the word out

What they're saying:

Milburn began chronicling her cancer journey on Facebook for family and friends, in what is a blunt and informative story of her cancer journey that has helped educate others. "And it helped me. You wake up and your kind of having a day," she said.

The Thin Pink Line

Local perspective:

And in their darkest hours, Milburn and Moon had no idea that a movement had started in the law enforcement community. The pink wristbands as well as a video produced by the Peachtree City Police Department offering the both of them words of encouragement from officers and staff.

"We were both just ugly crying and because it was so moving," Moon said.

"People don’t get to see this side of law enforcement. They don’t get to the solidarity," Milburn said. "I didn’t cry through the diagnosis and surgery, but when I saw those pink bracelets, I cried."

Help for others

Dig deeper:

If you are someone you know is on a breast cancer journey, we’ve got a lot of information for you from Terri’s doctor, Dr. Ruth Sacks at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University.

What Does It Mean to Have Dense Breasts?

• Dense breast tissue refers to having more glandular and connective tissue (i.e. milk glands, mild ducts, and supportive tissue) than fat in the breasts, making it harder to see cancer or detect abnormalities on a mammogram (X-ray of the breast).
• Dense breasts are common, affecting nearly 50% of women undergoing mammograms.

How is Breast Density Detected?

• The only way to know if you have dense breasts is through a mammogram (X-ray of the breast).
• A radiologist determines breast density by examining the balance of fatty and dense tissue on the mammogram.

What causes dense breasts?

• Unclear why some people have more dense breasts than others
• More likely to have dense breasts: younger, lower body fat (lower BMI), on hormone therapy for menopause, etc.

Why breast density matters:

• Detection Challenges: Dense breast tissue on mammogram makes it more challenging to see things on mammogram, which may increase the chance of a cancer going undetected.
• Increased Risk: Dense breast modestly increases the risk of breast cancer. However, the extent to which breast density affects the risk for breast cancer is not absolutely established and increased breast density does not increase the risk of dying from breast cancer.j

 Screening recommendations for dense breasts:

• Annual mammograms starting at age 40 are still recommended.
• 3D mammograms (tomosynthesis) can offer better detection for dense breasts by providing detailed images from multiple angles.
• Supplemental screening options may include:Breast MRIBreast Ultrasound
• Breast MRI
• Breast Ultrasound
• Each additional test has pros and cons, including a higher chance of false positives.

Legislation impact:

• Margie’s Law in Georgia mandates that healthcare facilities (hospitals, clinics, radiology practices, mobile units, etc.) provide specific notifications to patients if their mammogram shows dense breast tissue. (The deadline for health systems to comply with this law was in 2024 - July/August- so there are many women who could potentially get their first notification this year, when they go for their annual screen.)
• If a mammogram shows heterogeneously or extremely dense breast tissue the patient must receive a notice stating: 1) Dense breast tissue is common and not abnormal 2) It can make it harder to detect cancer on a mammogram and may modestly increase breast cancer risk. 3) Patients are encouraged to discuss with their healthcare provider if additional screening tests are appropriate based on their individual risk factors.
• The purpose of this law is to ensure patients are informed about their breast density and potential impact on cancer detect and risk so patients can make informed decisions about breast cancer screening and follow up care.

Talking to your healthcare provider:

• Ask if you have dense breasts and how that impacts your cancer risk.
• Discuss if you need additional screening tests beyond standard mammograms.
• Consider your overall risk factors and preferences when deciding on further screening options.

SEE ALSO: 

• Tardigrades may hold clues to cancer care, study finds
• What is DVT, the condition that sidelined Victor Wembanyama?
• Lung cancer rising among non-smokers — here's why
• This breakfast food might prevent colon cancer
• Beating the odds: Inspiring stories of cancer survivors in 2024

Peachtree CityFayettevilleNewsCancer