Mayo Clinic Health System
  • Patient Online Services
  • Pay Bill Online
  • Request an Appointment
    • Services
    • Providers
    • Locations

      Minnesota

      • Adams
      • Albert Lea
      • Austin
      • Belle Plaine
      • Blooming Prairie
      • Butterfield
      • Caledonia
      • Cannon Falls
      • Fairmont
      • Faribault
      • Janesville
      • Kenyon
      • Lake City
      • Le Sueur
      • Mankato
      • Montgomery
      • New Prague
      • New Richland
      • Northfield
      • Owatonna
      • Plainview
      • Red Wing
      • Sherburn
      • St. James
      • St. Peter
      • Waseca
      • Waterville
      • Wells
      • Zumbrota

      Wisconsin

      • Arcadia
      • Barron
      • Bloomer
      • Chetek
      • Chippewa Falls
      • Eau Claire
      • Ellsworth
      • Glenwood City
      • Holmen
      • La Crosse
      • Menomonie
      • Mondovi
      • Onalaska
      • Osseo
      • Prairie du Chien
      • Rice Lake
      • Sparta
      • Tomah

      Iowa

      • Decorah
      • Lake Mills

      View map
    • Classes/Events
    • Blog
    • Wellness
    • Referrals
    • COVID-19
    • Request an Appointment
    • Patient Online Services
    • Pay Bills Online
    • Refer a Patient

    Recent Posts

    • Hand controller and video game on screen
      Speaking of Health
      Are video games, screens another addiction?
      July 01, 2022
    • Sleeping baby wearing pink cap
      Speaking of Health
      Delayed umbilical cord clamping benefits baby, affects cord blood donation
      June 30, 2022
    • Bearded person with glasses
      Speaking of Health
      Men's health: Checkups, screenings key
      June 29, 2022
    Featured Topics
    • Behavioral Health
    • Cancer
    • Children's Health (Pediatrics)
    • COVID-19
    • COVID-19 Vaccine
    • Exercise and Fitness
    • Heart Health
    • Men's Health
    • Neurosurgery
    • Obstetrics and Gynecology
    • Orthopedic Health
    • Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery
    • Women's Health
    Join our email newsletter
    Patient Stories
    Sunday, November 3, 2013

    Mondovi woman advocates for breast cancer awareness and education

    Mary_Jane_Diller

    Mary Jane Diller of Mondovi, Wisconsin, began mammogram screening when she was in her 30s when cysts were discovered in her breasts. “The first one made me panic,” says Diller, who had her cysts treated. “Thankfully, they were benign,” Diller says of her noncancerous condition.

    The American Cancer Society and Mayo Clinic Health System recommend that women with an average risk of breast cancer start mammograms at age 40. When there is a family history of breast cancer, a mammogram before age 40 may be recommended.

    “We want women to know that mammogram screening, in addition to self-breast exam, is the best way to help detect abnormalities in breast tissue,” says Kathy Sieg, director of Radiology Services at Mayo Clinic Health System – Oakridge. “A mammogram can detect an abnormality in its early stages, rather than finding something later when the outcome may not be successful.”

    A number of women in Diller’s life have had breast cancer, including her husband’s mother, who lived into her 90s, and his sister, who died in her 30s. Although breast cancer doesn’t run among Diller’s blood relatives, she’s diligent about her screenings. Diller has two daughters who also take their annual mammogram screenings very seriously. “They never miss it. Neither of them would go a year without a mammogram,” Diller says.

    Diller thinks education and awareness is the key to helping women realize mammograms may cause some discomfort but, typically, not pain. “Just think of this as another routine. My girlfriends and I support each other. I’m having my screening today,” she says at her recent mammogram at Mayo Clinic Health System – Oakridge in Mondovi. “Another one of my friends is having her screening Monday.”

    In the past, people used to be afraid to use the two words “breast” and “cancer” together. “I think it’s about women helping women and people coming together,” Diller says of October Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities. “Even our local high school football teams are wearing pink for their games. It’s because they want to do this. It’s about getting the word out there and not being afraid.”


    For the safety of our patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was either recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in a non-patient care area where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.
    Topics in this Post
    • Breast Cancer

    Related Posts

    Amy Lloyd MD Defend yourself against breast cancer
    P_Smith_CancerWI15_sm 'From bad things, good things can happen': Connie Smith's cancer journey
    Rose Boettcher Genetic counseling helps woman, family make informed health decisions

    Stay Connected

    • Contact Us
    • Notice of Nondiscrimination
    • Notice of Privacy Practices
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
    • Careers
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • For Patients & Visitors
    • Financial Assistance
    • Community Resources
    • Mayo Clinic Connect
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Press Room
    • Mayo Clinic
    • Home
    © 2018 - 2022 Mayo Clinic Health System