May 4, 2022

Andrea Mattingly: How the CHL discovered cancer during a routine screening

The Center for Healthy Living (CHL) on Purdue's West Lafayette campus is a convenient and affordable option for primary care — including preventive and wellness services. As part of Purdue’s campus community, CHL’s providers are invested in the health and wellness of faculty and staff and their families. And sometimes that care is life-saving. Just ask Andrea Mattingly.

Mattingly, communications director in Purdue’s Student Success Programs, visited CHL for her annual physical and biometric screening as part of the Healthy Boiler Incentive Program. In her 30s and healthy, Mattingly hadn’t really made regular check-ups a priority. But as she visited with nurse practitioner Kimberly Porter, she was reminded why she needs to make time for her health — even if she feels OK.

“Kim noticed a palpable lump on my thyroid and referred me to have an ultrasound, which led to a follow-up biopsy,” Mattingly says. “The biopsy came back as abnormal, and Kim referred me to a specialist./p>

The diagnosis? Papillary thyroid cancer.

Early detection, better prognosis

Mattingly was stunned — but grateful.

“No one wants to receive such a diagnosis, but the fact that the cancer was detected early has made a profound difference in my treatment and anticipated outcomes,” she says.

Mattingly went through two surgeries to remove her thyroid and several lymph nodes. The surgeon also found a small spot of cancer in one lymph node — meaning that it was “on the move.” Because they caught it early, Mattingly was not prescribed radioactive iodine therapy, which can bring other health implications.

“I often wonder how long my cancer might have gone undetected, or how much it might have spread, or what other interventions I may have needed down the road if it weren’t for the Healthy Boiler program and nurse practitioner Porter’s thorough care,” Mattingly says. “The surgeon who performed my partial thyroidectomy told me several times about how lucky I was to have found it early.

Mattingly fully admits that she only started participating in the Healthy Boiler program and getting annual checkups as an easy way to boost her health savings account (HSA). It’s a great incentive — but what she’s gained today is so much more.

“Today, I realize that the true incentive was always my health,” she says. “Your health is priceless, and it’s difficult to fully appreciate how precious it is until there’s an imminent threat.”

Schedule an annual wellness visit

To schedule an annual wellness visit at CHL, visit purdue.edu/healthyliving or call 765-494-0111.


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