Bend breast cancer survivor Julie Verke’s message to others: Listen to your body, don’t ignore the warning signs

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Breast cancer survivor Julie Verke is a teacher at Westside Village Magnet School.

Julie says her move to Bend 32 years ago was with purpose.

“The reason why I moved here is because of the beautiful outdoors and all the trails and the river, and I just love to be outside and be moving and just super healthy lifestyles.”

Because of that healthy lifestyle, imagine Julie’s shock when, just a few weeks before she was to embark upon a dream vacation with her daughter and 85-year-old mom to Europe, In June of 2023, Julie’s life changed.

“I do my checkups every year. I have my mammograms, and I was doing a self-check at six months in between my mammograms, and I noticed a lump and I was like, 'What in the heck is that?' That's when the lights went off.”

One of Julie’s first questions was how was her lump missed previously.

According to the American Cancer Society, mammograms miss about 1 in 8 breast cancers, and between 20% and 30% of breast cancer tumors are missed by mammograms. These cancers that are found between mammograms are called interval cancers, and they are often more deadly than those detected by screening. 

Because there wasn’t enough time to schedule a follow-up mammogram, Julie decided to move forward with her vacation with her family.

“So I had my appointment already set before I went on my trip, came back, had the mammogram. They did further testing, and did a biopsy and found that it was cancer."

Julie was diagnosed with Stage 1A breast cancer.

“It's the earliest you can discover the cancer before it's any bigger or metastasized,” she said.

Once you know, panic sets in.

“When you find out, you know what it could be and what could happen. All these fears start to arise.”

Over the next five months, Julie’s body would endure surgery, radiation and healing.

“I was diagnosed the end of June, and surgery was at the end of August," she said. "And then after the healing of surgery, then I had radiation treatment, from October to early November, and then I was done.”

Throughout her journey, Julie leaned on her community, family, and local support groups for strength.

“I feel like I'm more reflective, appreciative and thankful person," she says. "It was a very fearful time, and I tell people that the hardest part was not knowing what was going to happen from surgery or what was going to happen during radiation, because there are so many scenarios. And so today I feel amazing. I feel really healthy, happy."

Now, cancer-free, Julie’s message for Breast Cancer Awareness Month is clear: Be proactive about your health, listen to your body, and don’t ignore the warning signs. She hopes that by speaking out, she can inspire more people to prioritize regular screenings and self-exams.