At the age of 61, Anne Lantry had never been sick in her life. So, in early 2019, when her doctors recommended a follow-up breast ultrasound after a routine mammogram, she was not that concerned. While the ultrasound revealed a small mass, an initial needle biopsy indicated no evidence of malignancy. But her radiologist, who was out of the country when the results of the biopsy came in, reached out to her—urging her to see a breast surgeon.
“I thought she was being overly cautious but went ahead and made an appointment with one of the breast surgeons at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital who recommended that the mass be removed,” Anne explains. “I wanted to put it off until later in the year when I would have more family members around to support me but was told I might regret it.”
A few weeks later, Anne had a lumpectomy to remove the small mass, which was determined to be ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), the presence of abnormal cells inside a milk duct. DCIS, considered the earliest form of breast cancer, is noninvasive, meaning it hasn't spread out of the milk duct and has a low risk of becoming invasive. No additional treatment for Anne was needed.
“The surgeon, as well as the entire team that took care of me, did such a wonderful job,” Anne says.
Out of gratitude for the selflessness and dedication of her doctors and their staff, Anne made her first contribution to the Betty Lou Ourisman Breast Health Center at the hospital—and has since continued to express her gratitude through philanthropy over the past couple of years.
“Every encounter I have had with the providers at MedStar Georgetown has been amazing. I’ve been consistently impressed by their professionalism, knowledge, and the way they work together so seamlessly as a team,” she says. “They continue to exceed my expectations.”
Wishing to further support the hospital, Anne recently agreed to make a gift in support of one of the operating rooms being built in the new Medical/Surgical Pavilion at MedStar Georgetown. To be named after her late husband, Thomas F. Lantry, that contribution was made through the Lantry Family Foundation. “My dear departed husband would have shared my appreciation for the compassion, dedication, and commitment to excellence displayed by the providers at MedStar Georgetown, and I am honored to make this gift in his memory,” she adds. “I will always be grateful for the quality of care I received.”