For many, October is simply Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but for LaToya Bolds-Johnson, PA-C, CAQ-EM, the fight is year-round.
As an experienced PA who works in clinical research as a sub-investigator, she leverages her experience to advocate for awareness and equity, and recruitment of minority groups in clinical research.
A wife, a mother, a health care provider and now a breast cancer survivor, she is uniquely positioned to understand this disease from every angle — from the emergency room to the recovery room.
Bolds-Johnson was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in July 2021. She felt a lump in her breast but thought it was an enlarged milk gland because she had recently stopped breast-feeding. When the lump didn’t go away, her physician ordered a mammogram.
Despite being just 36 at the time and having no known family history of breast cancer, Bolds-Johnson had to advocate for herself to get a mammogram; the technician was initially hesitant due to her age. When the screening showed suspicious findings, she agreed to a biopsy, hoping the lump was just a benign milk cyst. But it was not.
“I received a notification on my phone while I was working in the emergency department,” said Bolds-Johnson. “I clicked on the notification thinking it was a basic lab report and the words ‘triple negative breast cancer, high grade three’ popped up on my phone screen.”
She left work that day distraught and in disbelief.
Triple negative breast cancer is the most aggressive form of breast cancer with higher incidence in African American women. Compared with non-Hispanic White women, Black women have an 81% higher rate of triple-negative breast cancer. Due to socioeconomic factors, Black women face barriers to standard care, advance treatment, and inclusion in clinical trials.
“We [Black women] have a higher mortality rate from triple negative breast cancer compared to White women. We are being diagnosed at later stages and dying at much higher rates.”
Bolds-Johnson could not practice clinically after she began chemotherapy. As an emergency medicine PA, working in the emergency department during the COVID-19 pandemic was an occupational hazard because she was immunocompromised.
“Becoming a patient has been the most difficult aspect of my breast cancer journey,” said Bolds-Johnson. “I felt defeated as a PA because I was so used to being the caregiver.”
At the young age of 4, Bolds-Johnson knew she wanted to be a health care provider. She met and shadowed an orthopaedic PA in her sophomore year of college and decided on a career as PA. Ten years into the profession, Bolds-Johnson misses being able to practice, but is fiercely committed to raising awareness about triple negative breast cancer in Black women and barriers to care.
“Black women are not being offered the opportunity to participate in clinical trials or receiving the best optimal treatment. Representation matters, and we need more diversity in clinical trials, so we know how to effectively treat this cancer with life-saving drugs.”
When asked how PAs can support breast cancer screening, Bolds-Johnson wants her colleagues to become more familiar with atypical and typical breast cancer symptoms. “We need to reframe our medical decision-making capacity by not just ordering routine mammograms for women over 40,” she said. “High-risk screenings are crucial for patients of minority groups at earlier ages.”
“I want ALL women to know you don’t have to be 40 years old to have a mammogram. Know your family history and be proactive about self-breast exams. And most importantly, advocate for yourself!”
Bolds-Johnson has three daughters and is inspired to help them and other women who may develop breast cancer. She uses her personal social media channels to raise awareness about earlier detection of breast cancer.
Visit her LinkedIn page to learn more.
LaToya Bolds-Johnson, PA-C, CAQ-EM
LaToya Bolds-Johnson, PA-C, CAQ-EM, is a Stage 3C Triple Negative Breast Cancer survivor, Board Certified PA, and a powerful advocate for health equity, especially for Black women. She transformed her personal journey into purpose, founding The Tatas 365, authoring “When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Pink Lemonade,” a children’s book, and partnering with organizations like the Tigerlily Foundation and Susan G. Komen to champion early detection and legislative action like the SCREENS Act. The New Orleans native now lives and advocates in the D.C. area.