Maureen Thiel's health care providers told her the lump on her breast was harmless. Two and a half years later—at 43 years old—she was dead due to a delayed diagnosis.
Two young boys and a husband were left behind. The real tragedy: It could have been prevented.
Maureen and Bill had been living a truly blessed life. Maureen, a part-time beautician was married to Bill, a landscaper. They shared a deep and rare love, living in a small Pennsylvania town with two young sons, active in their church, and well-loved in their community.
In November of 1994, Maureen discovered a lump during a self-exam. As part of her testing, Maureen underwent a mammogram and ultrasound. She was told, 'Don't worry. It's only a cyst. Come back in a year.'
From November 1994 through May 1996, Maureen sought three different opinions about her lumps. She was told the same thing: Don't worry about it. In March of 1997, a fourth opinion seemed to differ. She was then diagnosed with Stage 3 metastatic breast cancer with 47 out of 47 positive lymph nodes. The breast cancer had spread to her bones. Maureen's diagnosis was she had less than two years to live.
Not every lump merits a biopsy but for patient safety and quality of care, the correct follow-up is the difference between life and death. An early correct diagnosis is the only way to ensure women can fight and beat breast cancer.
A mammogram or ultrasound cannot definitely rule out breast cancer. A biopsy is the only sure way to tell if a breast lump is cancerous.
Bill Thiel will not let her death have been in vain. To fulfill a promise to his wife, Bill created 'Maureen's Mission,' a non-profit organization dedicated to ending misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis of women across the country with breast lumps. It is critical that women partner with their health care practitioner as well as educate themselves.
'Maureen's story is a shocking case of deadly misdiagnosis that clearly pointed to a need for change,' says Thiel, founder of Maureen's Mission. 'It is my goal that no one else die needlessly. All women have the right to an early correct diagnosis. They have the right to know the risk involved in waiting six to twelve months for follow up care. They also have the right to know the correct follow up.'
If some sort of Universal Standard of Care had been in place, a biopsy would have been performed on Maureen within one to two months after she first found her lump—and there's a good chance she would be alive today.
Proposed Universal Standard of Care For Breast Lumps
'Our mission is to have every health care professional follow a standard, thereby promoting early correct diagnosis and saving thousands of lives,' explains Thiel. He proposes:
1. Uniform Standard of Care for breast cancer throughout the United States.
2. All lumps treated as cancerous until proven otherwise.
3. If a lump is found, either by self-exam or clinical exam, the patient will receive a pamphlet outlining Standard of Care and the steps the patient and doctor will follow together to provide an early diagnosis.
4. A mammogram or ultrasound, or both, will be performed immediately.
5. A biopsy will be discussed and the patient will be given a choice, after consultation with the doctor, to proceed with a biopsy.
6. If, after consultation with the doctor, the patient decides to wait for a biopsy, only one menstrual cycle (or 30 days for post menopausal women) will be allowed to pass before the patient returns for re-evaluation.
7. If the breast lump persists, a biopsy is performed immediately.
8. In all cases, early diagnosis will be sought to maximize patient safety.
How Maureen's Mission is Making A Difference
'Please visit Maureen's Mission website ( www.maureensmission.org). Read the message board. It says everything,' says Thiel.
Thiel is trying to get the support of other state breast coalitions along with local, state and federal legislators to pass a bill to protect all women in this country to ensure an early correct diagnosis.
'I know every time I speak, when someone hears Maureen's story, a life is saved,' reflects Thiel. Many call Bill Thiel a hero, but to him, he's just keeping a promise.
For more information about Maureen's Mission, learn more about breast cancer or how to help, visit www.maureensmission.org.
